Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you arrive with plenty of daylight left and gas in the tank, you might like to embark on
a foray to (or even stay at) the historic Cecil King's Hut (four bunks), 10 minutes up the
track. Mr King built the wooden slab hut in 1935 as part of a Depression-era scheme en-
couraging unemployed men to prospect for gold. Despite living in Lower Hutt, near Wel-
lington, he spent every summer here, fossicking in the area until 1981. After his passing at
age 78 in 1982, his family spread his ashes around the hut, and after an initial restoration in
1991 DOC has continued to preserve it as a precious relic of a bygone era.
Day 2: Kings Creek Hut to Helicopter Flat Hut
6-7 HOURS, 18.7KM, 549M ASCENT, 268M DESCENT
From Cecil King's Hut, just before the junction of the north and south branches of the
Wangapeka River, the track continues along the true left (east) side of the north branch and
gently climbs towards Stone Hut; it is well benched and makes for easy walking. Much of
the time you can peer into the deep gorge cut by the north branch, which dwindles as you
climb.
It's a 2½-hour (6.5km) walk to Stone Hut. Thirty minutes before reaching it the track
crosses a bridge over Luna Stream, and then immediately crosses a larger one to the true
right side of the north branch, where a grassy flat overlooks the confluence with Stone
Creek. Here is the pleasant Stone Hut (10 bunks) near which is a signposted route to
Mt
Luna
(1630m).
The track leaves Stone Hut in bush, but soon comes to an open slip, the result of the 1929
Murchison earthquake. Boulder-hop across the slip to emerge at a long gravel bar, featuring
a ghost forest of dead, standing trees. In the middle is the Wangapeka River north branch,
just a small stream at this point.
The track follows the river to its source, then ascends sharply to
Wangapeka Saddle
(1009m) along a well-marked route. At the bush-clad top is a signposted junction, with one
track heading northwest along a steep, rough route to
Biggs Tops
(1384m) and Trevor
Carter Hut (12 bunks). This is a possible alternative route - the additional climb (around one
hour) rewards with spectacular views followed by a steep descent to Trevor Carter Hut and
onward to Helicopter Hut via the
Lost Valley Track
.
The main track from Wangapeka Saddle descends gently and then swings up a narrow
valley to arrive at Chime Creek within 30 minutes. There is a series of scenic waterfalls
here, as well as a walk-wire 100m upstream, although at most times you can easily ford the
