Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIDE TRIP: LAKE MAVIS
3-4 HOURS, 2KM RETURN, 500M ASCENT
Those with time up their sleeve would do well to make the worthwhile climb to Lake Mavis,
the national park's most accessible alpine lake. Ascend the spur track to the east of Goat
Pass Hut, following the cairned ridge route.
Day 2: Goat Pass Hut to Morrison Footbridge
7-9 HOURS, 15.5KM, 770M DESCENT
The day begins at the stream behind the hut, where a couple of snow poles have been
placed. Follow the small stream, stepping from boulder to boulder, and you'll soon emerge
at
Deception River
. A huge rock cairn and a large pole alert trampers heading towards the
pass to leave the river and avoid the gorge ahead.
Those heading down the valley continue boulder-hopping along the river, on the true right
(east) side most of the time - although a series of cairns indicate when you should cross to
the other bank. There are also short sections of unmarked track that can be used if found.
After about 2km you pass Upper Deception Hut (six bunks), on the true right (east) bank,
just before Good Luck Creek; look for it carefully because it's easy to miss.
Less than 2km from Upper Deception Hut you break out into a wide section of the valley.
The walking becomes considerably easier and most of the track encountered will be on the
true left (west) side of the Deception. Two hours from Upper Deception Hut you enter a
gorge. Pass the junction of
Gorge Creek
at the gorge's northern end, and after another 2km
enter another small gorge.
Between the two gorges lies the
sulphur hot spring
. It is located on the true right (east)
side of the river, 350m down the valley from Spray Creek. It is easier to smell the sulphur
than it is to find the spring, which emerges from a rock bank and forms a small, two-person
pool of 38°C water.
At the end of the second gorge, 10km from Goat Pass, the Deception Valley swings to the
northwest and begins to widen. It's about 5.5km from here to SH73, with the final 2km
passing through open flats.
Eventually the Deception meets the
Otira River
, which can be crossed via
Morrison
Footbridge
, just north of the confluence, on the true right side of Deception River.
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