Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cross the stream and within five minutes (1½ hours from Cannibal Gorge Hut) you arrive
at Ada Pass Hut (14 bunks). This hut is not quite as roomy as Cannibal Gorge, but the
mountain views from its porch and windows are much better.
Day 2: Ada Pass Hut to Christopher Hut
4-5 HOURS, 10.5KM
This is an easy and short day, but don't rush it. Linger if the weather is fine, for the alpine
scenery is the best of any along the walkway.
The track departs from the eastern side of the hut, and after around 10 to 15 minutes it be-
gins a gentle ascent to
Ada Pass
(1008m), fording the Maruia River Right Branch (by now
more of a creek) along the way. The bush-clad pass is recognisable by the large sign an-
nouncing that the saddle is 998m - despite what maps list - and it marks the border between
Lewis Pass National Reserve
and
St James Conservation Area
. The walkway then pro-
ceeds to descend into
Ada Valley
along the true right (south) side of the Ada River, and
within one hour breaks out into a large tussock grassland crowned by the craggy peak of
Faerie Queen
(2236m), which is often accented with freshly fallen snow. It is but one high-
light of this valley track that affords breathtaking views as it passes in and out of the forest.
Orange-tipped poles lead you almost 2km across the grassland to where the track resumes
in beech forest. You stay in the forest for one hour (3.5km) but three times break out into
small meadows; the second one provides a view up rugged Camera Gully to the north. Two
hours from Ada Pass the track emerges from beech forest to reach the wide expanse of the
St James Conservation Area. The flats (and the track) swing southeast at the confluence of
the Ada River and Christopher River.
For the rest of the day the track switches between crossing grassy river flats and climbing
onto the forested ridge to avoid slips along the river. If the day is nice and the water levels
normal, you can simply follow the flats, crossing the river at will until you spot Christopher
Hut.
About 1km (15 minutes) before reaching that hut, the track passes
Christopher (Ada)
Cullers Hut
(four bunks), which is maintained as a historic hut. Built in 1956 for deer
hunters, this hut is now more a monument to the old New Zealand Forest Service than a
place to stay. The roomier Christopher Hut (14 bunks) has good views of the mountains sur-
rounding the Waiau Valley. You may see a herd of wild horses grazing here.
