Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIDE TRIP: DART GLACIER
4-6 HOURS RETURN, 14KM
The rewarding side trip to view Dart Glacier is strenuous and challenging and should only
be attempted in good weather, by those confident navigating unmarked routes over steep ter-
rain. Cross Snowy Creek Bridge and follow the poles and rock cairns along the Dart River
and the edge of Dart Glacier. After about three hours you will begin to climb moraine and
tussock slopes with increasingly impressive views of the glacier and the Snowdrift Range to
the west. If conditions are ideal and you have the energy, you can push on to Cascade
Saddle (eight to 10 hours return from Dart Hut, 20km).
Day 3: Dart Hut to Daleys Flat Hut
5-7 HOURS, 18KM
The track climbs west, away from the hut and along a bluff above the
Dart River
, offering
an occasional view of the rushing water below or the valley in front as it passes through
thick forest.
Around 6km into the day, the track climbs sharply, but then drops into a rocky stream
clearing near the eastern end of
Cattle Flat
. The track quickly emerges from forest onto the
flat, an almost-endless grassy area where the trail appears as a path of trampled grass
marked occasionally by a rock cairn. The Dart River is seen as you cross the flat, as is a por-
tion of
Curzon Glacier
, high in the mountains across the river. The track follows the middle
of the flat and in 3km passes a sign to a rock bivvy. The bivvy, a three-minute walk up a side
track, is a huge overhanging rock that can easily hold at least six people. If it's raining this is
an excellent place for lunch.
The track continues across Cattle Flat for another 1.5km and finally returns to the bush.
From here it's another 1½ to two hours to Daleys Flat Hut. You begin with a steady drop to-
wards the river, and reach the banks of the Dart in 2.5km. Along the way you pass another
rock bivvy, much smaller than the one at Cattle Flat. Eventually the track breaks out at
Quinns Flat
, a beautiful stretch of golden grass surrounded by mountains, and then returns
to the bush.
The track crosses a few more streams and, in 30 minutes, arrives at Daleys Flat. Follow
the trampled grass across the flat to reach Daleys Flat Hut (20 bunks).
Day 4: Daleys Flat Hut to Chinamans Flat
4-6 HOURS, 16KM
