Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The start of the tramp is 7km from St Arnaud, which will add around two hours and 165m
of climbing to the walk. From the Coldwater Hut trailhead you can either catch a boat back
across the lake - a nice way to finish - or tramp back to St Arnaud via the Lakeside Track
(12km, four hours), or the Lakehead Track (9km, three hours), accessed from Lakehead Hut.
The Tramp
Day 1: Mt Robert Carpark to Angelus Hut (via Robert Ridge)
6 HOURS, 12KM, 770M ASCENT
Fill your water bottles before embarking on this day's tramping as there is no water along
the way.
From the Mt Robert car park it's a steep, zigzagged climb up
Pinchgut Track
. After 30
minutes you'll come to the junction with
Paddy's Track
, part of the
Mt Robert Circuit
- the
most popular day walk in the park.
Keep walking beyond the junction and on to the poled route that wends steadily up into
the distance. Follow this broad ridge past the second alpine basin, the site of an old ski field,
and continue for 1.5km, ascending 160m to
Flagtop
(1690m).
Along the tops, keep an eye out for the karearea (NZ falcon), squawky kea and elusive
rock wren. If you don't spot any of these, console yourself by stroking the cushion-like ve-
getable sheep
(Raoulia eximia),
a most peculiar plant that has found a foothold among the
rocks.
The well-marked route continues climbing gently towards
Julius Summit
(1794m) with
the third large tarn-filled basin to your left. Pass under the peak on its western side, then re-
gain the ridge and follow it in a southwesterly direction. Take care along this sharp and
rocky section.
When you reach the sign for Speargrass Hut on your right, you are only 30 minutes from
Angelus Hut. Follow the track up on to the ridge where you will encounter views over An-
gelus Basin, then follow the poles down to the lakeside Angelus Hut, built in 2010. Perched
on the edge of the lake 1650m above sea level among golden tussock, this hut is a particu-
larly fine specimen, with insulated walls, a capacious common area and large sunny deck.
SIDE TRIP: ANGELUS BASIN/MT ANGELUS
2-3 HOURS RETURN
