Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Warden talks at this (and every) Milford Track hut during the Great Walk season are giv-
en at 7.30pm. They include a weather forecast and track condition update, and are a great
opportunity to ask questions and share a few yarns.
Day 2: Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut
5-6 HOURS, 16.5KM
This day is another easy, level walk, until the final two hours, when you climb to Mintaro
Hut - the first step in crossing Mackinnon Pass. The track continues beside the Clinton
River to
Clinton Forks
.
Keep an eye out for blue ducks around this stretch of river. Endemic to NZ, the whio
(blue duck) has no close relatives anywhere in the world. It is in fact bluish-grey, with a pale
pink bill and a reddish-brown spotted breast. The males whistle and the females produce a
guttural rattle-like call. Back in 2004, a whio recovery program saw ducklings released back
into the wild at the headwaters of the Clinton River. They are sometimes seen in the Arthur
River, also.
Beyond Clinton Forks the track heads up the
Clinton River West Branch
. A couple of
kilometres past Clinton Forks the track climbs over debris left from a major landslip in
1982. The avalanche blocked the river and created the lake to the right of the track; dead
trees emerge from the water. Wispy waterfalls feather down on both sides of the valley and a
short walk to the left leads to views of the cascades. Guided trampers have a lunch stop near
Hirere Falls
, about 1km further along the track. About 4km past Clinton Forks the valley
becomes noticeably narrower, with granite walls closing in on both sides.
Mackinnon Pass, further up the valley, comes into view for the first time, and a short side
track curves west to
Hidden Lake
, which features a towering waterfall on its far side. The
track remains in beech forest until it comes to the prairies, the first grassy flat. Prairie Lake,
at the start of this stretch, is a good place for a swim, since the water is marginally warmer
than other lakes in the valley. There are good views from here towards
Mt Fisher
(1869m)
to the west, and Mackinnon Pass to the northwest. A new shelter (with toilet) has been built
at the top end of the prairie and makes a nice lunch stop. The track re-enters bush and begins
a rocky climb to Bus Stop Shelter, a gloomy lunch stop 9km from Clinton Forks, and then to
the deluxe Pompolona Hut, the second night's stop for guided trampers.
The track crosses Pompolona Creek on an impressive swing bridge and continues its
course through low scrub. There are many frame bridges along this stretch, before the track
