Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Upper Gridiron Hut is a little further along, a five-minute detour off the track. This shelter
is wedged under a huge rock overhang and features a swing-seat.
Easy walking continues through the Flora Valley. Around two hours into the day you will
pass beneath a wooden arch, the gateway to the gulch.
The track climbs gently towards Flora Saddle. Around 15 minutes from the saddle is his-
toric Flora Hut (12 bunks). The grassy clearing it occupies was once the site of Edward's
Store, from where provisions were supplied to gold diggers who, unfortunately, never dug
up much at all. From here the track continues to Flora Saddle and the track junction, sig-
nalling that you have completed the loop. Continue along the main gravel path back down to
Flora car park, 10 minutes away.
NELSON LAKES NATIONAL PARK
Most visitors come to Nelson Lakes National Park to see Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Bey-
ond the lakes, trampers will discover a land of long glaciated valleys, basins, tarns and
craggy mountain ranges. Situated at the northern end of the Southern Alps, the park is home
to numerous passes and routes that are not nearly as demanding as those found in other
alpine national parks such as Arthur's Pass or Mt Aspiring.
If you long to climb a mountain and stroll along an open ridge, Nelson Lakes is a good
place to begin adventuring above the bushline. It is a mountainous region, with many peaks
above 2000m, but lots of the tramping tracks are benched and most routes are marked with
cairns or poles.
A number of return trips are possible in the park, most requiring three to six days of
tramping and the climbing of ridges and passes. A favourite for trampers with limited alpine
experience is the tramp along Robert Ridge to the grand Lake Angelus cirque basin, return-
ing to St Arnaud via one of two different routes. A more remote and challenging tramp is
the Travers-Sabine Circuit, which includes walking over Travers Saddle, not an easy climb
but one that is well marked and, in good summer weather, within the capabilities of most fit
trampers.
