Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
across the Travers. Stay on the true left side, following the river closely through the forest,
to emerge after 3.5km onto another flat, where
Mt Travers
dominates the view.
Just beyond the end of the flat you arrive at a swing bridge over
Hopeless Creek
. On the
other side is a signposted junction indicating the track to Hopeless Hut (2½ hours). The
track now begins to climb gradually.
John Tait Hut (27 bunks), under two hours from the junction, is in a small grassy clearing
with good views of the peaks at the head of the valley. Its best feature is an enclosed veran-
da that allows you to enjoy the views but keeps the sandflies at bay.
Day 2: John Tait Hut to Upper Travers Hut
3 HOURS, 6KM, 510M ASCENT
The track sets off by continuing its climb up the valley. About 20 minutes (1km) from the
hut it passes the track junction to the Cupola Hut (2½ hours) before crossing a bridge over
Cupola Creek. The climb steepens, and within another 1km the track enters a chasm and
passes a side track to
Travers Falls
, a worthy three-minute detour to the 20m cascade that
plunges into a sparkling, clear pool.
Back on the track the gradient eases slightly and after crossing several scree slopes you
walk over a bridge to the true right of the Travers River about 1½ hours from the falls. At
this point you begin an even steeper climb to the bushline, passing three signposted ava-
lanche paths along the way. At the edge of the bush, little more than 2km from the bridge,
trampers are greeted with good views of the peaks of both the
Travers Range
and
St
Arnaud Range
.
Upper Travers Hut (24 bunks) overlooks a tussocky flat before the last stand of mountain
beech towards the saddle. At 1340m it's a beautiful spot, surrounded by gravel and scree
slopes that can be easily climbed for better views, while looming overhead is the east face of
Mt Travers.
Day 3: Upper Travers Hut to West Sabine Hut
6-8 HOURS, 8KM, 467M ASCENT, 1117M DESCENT
The route over Travers Saddle is well marked with snow poles, but is still a climb into the
alpine zone. If the weather is foul, hold off and wait another day.
The track begins by crossing the river. After 30 minutes or so, the ascent is signalled
when you emerge from the final stand of trees and head west into an area of tussock-covered
