Gillespie Pass Circuit

Tramping track

Time:  

3 - 4 days

Distance:  

58 km

Getting there

Passing through beech/tawhero forest
on the Blue-Young Link Track 

The circuit can begin from either the Wilkin/Makarora River confluence or that of the Young and Makarora. Either starting point can be reached by jet boat. This description begins from the Young/Makarora confluence.

The new Blue-Young Link Track now provides alternative access to the Young Valley when the Makarora River is high. The track starts at the Blue Pools carpark (off SH6) and passes through beech/tawhai forest and open flats to reach the Young/Makarora Confluence.

Description

Blue Pools to Young River Mouth

Time: 1.5 - 2 hr, one way
Distance: 7 km

Starting from the Blue Pools carpark, the track passes through both extensive beech/tawhero forest and open country, and provides bridged crossings over the Makarora and Blue Rivers and the Ore and Leven Streams. 

Makarora to Young Hut

Time: 6 - 7 hr
Distance: 20 km

Trampers walking up to the head of
the south branch of the Young River

Access to the Young Valley is signposted on the left of SH 6, 2.5 km north of the Makarora Visitor Centre. Cross the stile and follow the orange poles to the Young & Makarora rivers junction. Cross the Makarora and follow the Young River’s true left to a swing bridge at the junction of the north and south branches (3-4 hours).

The track divides after the bridge and the Young Forks camping site is 200 metres up stream, where there is an open sided shelter, toilet and fireplace, which campers are encouraged to use. From the bridge the track continues downstream, crosses a grassy flat, then enters the forest on the true left of the south branch, just beyond the junction. It climbs steeply for 100 metres and then sidles through a series of unstable slips to reach Stag Creek. From here it’s a steady climb to the new, 20-bunk Young Hut.

Be aware that the 260 series topographic map, F38 Wilkin, shows the location of the old Young Hut. The new Young Hut is located at: E2197460, N5662815.

The last stage before Gillespie Pass.

Young Hut to Siberia Hut

Time: 6 - 8 hr
Distance: 12km

Climb to the bushline, cross the bridge over the Upper Young and follow the valley floor for about 20 minutes, to reach the start of the Gillespie Pass track on your left.  Fill your water bottles before leaving the valley as this is usually the last water source until well over the pass.

The track climbs steeply alongside a rock bluff onto a snow grass spur that, after 3-4 hours, leads to the 1490-metre pass. From here there’s an impressive view - Mount Alba dominates the skyline. From the pass follow the ridge to the south-east for about 20 minutes before sidling down through a series of snow grass basins. Take care; snow grass can be very slippery when wet. The track enters the forest on a small predominant spur and leads down to Gillespie Stream, a beautiful spot for a rest. The track continues down through the forest, sidling above Gillespie Stream before descending in a series of zigzags to Siberia Stream. On the valley floor, it’s an easy hour’s walk to the 20-bunk Siberia Hut.

Mount Awful from the top of the
Gillespie Pass

Siberia Hut to Makarora

Time: 7 - 8 hr
Distance: 26km

About 30 minutes down from Siberia Hut, travelling on the true left, the track to the Wilkin Valley enters the forest at the southern end of Siberia Flat. It sidles above the Siberia Gorge to descend in a series of zigzags to the Wilkin River (2-3 hours).

The track follows down the flats and enters the forest at the bottom of Dan’s Flat – rough in places, but well marked. When the Wilkin is low it’s quicker to cross the river at the bottom of Dan's Flat, follow the flats on the other side, to cross back where the Wilkin and Makarora Rivers meet. Cross with care, watching for quick or soft sand, then either follow up the open river flats or continue out to the main road, to Makarora Township.

Crossing Siberia Stream on the
Gillespie Circuit

To reach the 10-bunk Kerin Forks Hut from Siberia Hut, cross the Wilkin River. The hut can’t be seen from the forks, its at the western end of the large flats, 400 metres downstream from the Siberia Stream junction.

It’s possible to fly by plane out of the Siberia Valley (Southern Alps Air) or catch a jet boat from Kerin Forks (Wilkin River Jets). All transport needs to be pre-arranged with the transport providers. The Siberia Hut Warden cannot make bookings.

Note: A good day trip from Siberia Hut to Crucible Lake is possible from Siberia Hut. The details are below.

Siberia Hut to Crucible Lake

Lake Crucible, a day trip from
Siberia Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hr
Distance: 7 km

The Siberia Valley is a beautiful place; above it Lake Crucible nestles under Mt Alba. For an excellent day trip from Siberia Hut, go up the valley flats to the Crucible Stream, where the track enters the forest on the true left. It then climbs a narrow spur, sidles around to a river crossing and comes out on a snowgrass flat. Follow the markers in the upper basin and then just go up the flat to the lake. The tiny rock wren/tuke is often seen among the large rocks at the lake outlet.

Camping is not allowed in the Crucible Basin, because of its fragile, alpine herb field.

Plan and prepare

What to expect on a tramping track:

• Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
• Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
• Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
• Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
• Tramping/hiking boots required