Te Araroa 09/01/26

Day 110, Hamilton Hut to Harper Road Campsite (2271)

There were some showers overnight but after thinking about putting my jacket on I decided to start without it, the correct decision.

Rainbow to start the day

Bridge over Hamilton Creek 

A short walk along the wooded riverside brought me back to the main river where the track followed the stony river braid, sometimes on grass and occasionally crossing the river.

Good track by the river

I was walking with Pete and Dean again who l had re-met at Hamilton Hut which was useful as the river crossings got deeper and faster lower down.

Interesting pinnacles 

We stopped for lunch opposite a really interesting formation of rock pinnacles 

Dean and Pete on the trail

Eventually the path reached a 4wd track that ran along the flood bank that had been made by bulldozing up gravel and stone from the river braid.

River crossing

Hedgehog on the way across the road

A hedgehog crossed the track in front of me.

Good track at the end 

A short distance then to Lake Coleridge, a reservoir to produce hydro power and the little informal campsite.

Information board about braided rivers

It was very hot and sunny at the campsite but windy, so no sandflies. There is a good, relatively new, shelter as well that would be fine for sleeping in if necessary but I put my tent up anyway.

Five north bound walkers arrived and it was good to swop information about the next few days, especially for the north bound ones with the river crossings and forecast to consider.

Friday night with road access, a few families and camper vans, it could get busier.

Te Araroa 08/01/26

Day 109, Arthurs Pass Village to Hamilton Hut (2252)

It was a lovely morning as I left the hostel with a plan to try to get a lift down the road.

Arthurs Pass Village

The weather forecast is good for the next three days but then there is a storm on Sunday that could drop 200mm of rain! I'll try to be past the river sections by then.

Painted locomotive shed at Arthurs Pass

It was a complete failure, hardly any traffic and what little there was wasn't interested in giving me a lift.

Road bridge over the Boyle River 

As I got closer to my turn off I just settled into the walk ignoring the increasing traffic.

Pine Forest 

I was quite happy to get off the road and onto the track even though it was uphill.

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View over the Boyle River to the Southern Alps

The A frame hut

The path climbed up through beech woods and then a section of pine forest, which was very different, before an open section with fantastic views of the Southern Alps over the Bealey River.

Path by the river

I then started the descent of the Harper Valley which has a good two bed A frame hut near the top.

Scree slope to negotiate 

The path was relatively easy but there were some sections of scree, one of which I descended gracelessly on my bum.

Nice path at this point

Only one river crossing and a couple of side streams to cool my feet before I reached the West Harper Hut where I had thought of staying until I saw the state of it. Built in 1956 and little maintenance since by the look of it.

Footbridge over the Harper River

I saw a feral cat on the path ahead at one stage but it didn't stay long when it saw me.

Hamilton Hut 

The path then climbed over various spurs to avoid some river gorges before crossing on a suspension bridge to reach Hamilton Creek where there is another bridge and a short path to Hamilton Hut.

Thirty kilometers today but it felt like more, too much road.

Te Araroa 07/01/26

Day 108, Goats Pass Hut to Arthurs Pass Village (2227)

I woke up to find that the cloud had descended but it was still dry as I left the hut to go up a short distance to Goats Pass.

Looking down on Goats Pass Hut

There are a lot of boardwalks over the top which made it very easy for the first section. It was even better as the cloud was higher on the other side.

Boardwalk over the pass

It was an easy descent down to the tree line, and the first river crossing, but became steeper and rootier in the trees.

Looking down the Mingha valley

First crossing of the day

There were a couple of really steep descents and ascents to cross side streams and a climb over a spur to avoid a gorge but it was much easier than yesterday although just as beautiful.

A steep drop to the river 

There was some easy walking

I soon reached the flatter area, no grass just rocks washed down onto the floor plain.

The Mingha valley 

River bed

A couple of river crossings and I got to the Bealey River which I crossed to reach the road and railway for a seven kilometre road walk off trail to Arthurs Pass Village.

Road and rail near Arthurs Pass

I had booked a bed and had a parcel to pick up which was a pity as it would have suited me better to keep going. It's always a problem booking ahead, I always get there too late or too early!

Arthurs Pass

View from the hostel

Kea in the village

Te Araroa 06/01/26

Day 107, Deception River to Goat Pass Hut (2217)

It was a beautiful night and the morning promised to be even better. Unfortunately the sandflies woke up soon after me but they didn't disturb my breakfast too much.

Looking up Deception Valley 

And down from the camp spot

A short day as I was starting further up the valley than originally planned. It is a popular hill running route and about fifteen runners passed me at some stage during the day.

Path by the river 

Morning mists

Deception Valley is stunningly beautiful with steep wooded sides and the river rushing down a steep stony flood bed.

A beautiful river

Amazing place

The route description says that there are up to thirty river crossings to make on the way up and although I didn't count them it can't be far off.

In the bush at times

Some of the crossings lower down were quite difficult but they got easier as the river got smaller higher up.

Kilted American after a successful crossing

Navigation was tricky as the path switches from side to side and is only marked in places and sometimes actually goes up the river.

The 'path' is the river in places

Other sections involve steep climbs up and around the gorges that the river has cut.

Looking down from the hut 

The path to the hut is actually a side stream and involves a lot of scrambling over boulders before emerging above the tree line at the hut.

A good twenty bed hut with a fantastic view but without a stove, it could be cold tonight at 1057 meters but there are 15 people here to warm it up.

View from the hut