Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Leaving the saddle, the track descends at an easy grade for about 1½ hours to the point
where you break out of the bush near the head of Lake McKellar . Here, the track swings
north to bypass swampy lowlands, then crosses a bridge to the signposted Greenstone Track.
The Greenstone Track heads south (left fork) and crosses the grassy flat, where you are
treated to views of Lake McKellar. It then gently climbs the forested edges of the lake, a
couple of times dipping close enough for you to scout for cruising trout, but mostly skirting
the hillsides, where views are but brief glimpses through the trees. Within one hour of
passing Caples Track (2.5km) you arrive at McKellar Hut (24 bunks), in a small clearing
next to the Greenstone River. The rocky face of Jean Batten Peak (1971m) looms overhead.
8 WARNING
The upper Caples River can rise extremely fast during periods of heavy rain. You cross
a number of unbridged side streams along the track between the Upper Caples Hut
and the Greenstone Track, and caution should be used when travelling this stretch
during foul weather.
ALTERNATIVE FINISH: LAKE MCKELLAR TO THE DIVIDE
2-3 HOURS, 6.5KM
If you are not completing the loop on the Greenstone Track, this is your cue to head to the
Divide. Take the right fork, north. After 45 minutes to one hour, you will reach beautiful
Lake Howden then Lake Howden Hut (28 bunks). At the hut you will see a major track
junction. Head west (left) along the Routeburn Track, passing the flanks of Key Summit and
another trail junction. The 30-minute side trip (left fork) around the top of Key Summit is
worthwhile on clear days - when, from the 919m summit, you should be able to see the
Hollyford, Greenstone and Eglinton Valleys. From the junction the Routeburn Track des-
cends steadily to the bush and thick rainforest, before reaching the Divide, the lowest
east-west crossing in the Southern Alps. It is 3km (one hour) from Lake Howden Hut to the
Divide, where there is a car park and a shelter with toilets and water.
SIDE TRIP: PEAK 1538
6-8 HOURS, 17KM, 918M ASCENT
If you have a spare day at McKellar Hut, an interesting day walk is to climb Peak 1538 just
southwest of the hut. Departing from the 'McKellar Hut' sign on the way to Howden Hut, is
a track that climbs to the bushline. From there it's a steep climb through the alpine tussock
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