Nearby

Wilkin Valley Track

Lake Lucidus

Lake Lucidus

Located beneath Mt Caster and Apollo Peak, Lucidus is a great example of a lateral morain lake.   More ▶︎
Where do rivers come from?

Where do rivers come from?

Wilkin North Branch toward upper lakes   More ▶︎
Track to North Branch lakes

Track to North Branch lakes

Shortly before reaching the Disappearing Tarn   More ▶︎
Top Forks hut

Top Forks hut

Top Forks hut   More ▶︎
Disappearing Tarn

Disappearing Tarn

Go see it before it disappears   More ▶︎
Gillespie Pass

Gillespie Pass

Looking down to the neck   More ▶︎
Gillespie Pass

Gillespie Pass

Looking down at the Young side of the Pass.   More ▶︎
Gillespie Pass Circuit

Gillespie Pass Circuit

This is a 3-4 day track that is located near Makarora at the head of Lake Wanaka. Being a loop ...   More ▶︎

Picton to Aspiring

An aborted alpine traverse. Picton to West Cape, but aborted at Aspiring due to real world emergencies back home. Posted ...   More ▶︎
Rabbit Pass - Wilkin to East Matukituki

Rabbit Pass - Wilkin to East Matukituki

A fair weather route linking the upper Wilkin valley to the head of the East Matukituki. Two dangerous climbs are ...   More ▶︎
Lake Diana Reflections

Lake Diana Reflections

The lower slopes of Mt Betsy Jane and Mt Pollux reflected in Lake Diana.   More ▶︎
Haast to The Divide

Haast to The Divide

Andrew Barker's traverse 2009. From Pleasant Flat in the Haast to The Divide via Mt Aspiring National Park.   More ▶︎
Lake Diana Reflections 2

Lake Diana Reflections 2

The Snow Bridge Gorge gap between Mt Twilight and Mt Betsy Jane reflected in Lake Diana.   More ▶︎
Lake Castalia

Lake Castalia

Completely ringed by rock walls, numerous waterfalls tumble off the towering Mercury Peak glaciers to feed Lake Castalia, the North ...   More ▶︎
Kerin Forks Hut

Kerin Forks Hut

Kerin Forks Hut (10 bunks, wood-burning stove, firewood avail., tank water) is a spacious, comfortable hut at the back of ...   More ▶︎
Wilkins - Young (Gillespie Pass) Circuit

Wilkins - Young (Gillespie Pass) Circuit

Crossing the Makarora river on foot to the Young valley. Ascending to Young Hut in the first day. 2nd Day ...   More ▶︎
Lake Dianna

Lake Dianna

The 1st of the three main lakes of the North branch of the Wilkin it is perhaps the least stunning ...   More ▶︎
North Wilkin from Top Forks Hut

North Wilkin from Top Forks Hut

Wilkin River north branch, from the verandah at Top Forks Hut   More ▶︎
Top Forks Hut (Wilkin)

Top Forks Hut (Wilkin)

There are two huts at Top Forks (total 16 bunks, stove / fireplace, firewood available, tank water). The smaller is ...   More ▶︎
Top Forks Hut (Wilkin)

Top Forks Hut (Wilkin)

Top Forks Hut, in the Wilkin Valley. The last hut north of the infamous rabbit pass.   More ▶︎
Lake Lucidus from Atop the Morain Wall

Lake Lucidus from Atop the Morain Wall

After reaching Lake Lucidus its well worth fording the outlet stream and scrambling up the South morain for a stunning ...   More ▶︎
Lake Lucidus Morain Walls and the Upper Wilkin Valley

Lake Lucidus Morain Walls and the Upper Wilkin Valley

Mts Juno and Vesta tower over the massive morain which conceals Lake Lucidus.   More ▶︎
The Disappearing Tarn and Apollo Peak Reflections

The Disappearing Tarn and Apollo Peak Reflections

The first mini lake encountered is the small Disappearing tarn.   More ▶︎
Kerin Forks

Kerin Forks

Taken from the True Right side of the Wilkin River and looking up at the Siberia/Wilkin confluence. Kerin Forks hut ...   More ▶︎
Lake Castalia

Lake Castalia

Upper Wilkin Mar 05   More ▶︎
Lake Castalia from the North

Lake Castalia from the North

Sidling around the Eastern shore of the lake takes you into the upper reaches of the Castalia valley, a sea ...   More ▶︎
Snowbridge Gorge

Snowbridge Gorge

Permanent snow remains in the gorge that the South branch of the Wilkin river flows.   More ▶︎
Snow Bridge Gorge

Snow Bridge Gorge

One of a couple of snow bridges that remain year round in here.   More ▶︎
The Newland Stream

The Newland Stream

Taken from the true left side of the Wilkin after a dangerous fording of the flooded Newland stream. Moirs guide ...   More ▶︎
Wilkin River

Wilkin River

A 3 day tramp from Kerin Forks hut to the Wonderland Valley. Following the Wilkin River upstream. We took a ...   More ▶︎
Tramping in the Wilkin Waterfall valley

Tramping in the Wilkin Waterfall valley

Approaching the dreaded 200m Wilkin Waterfall face, we're dwarfed by the 400m waterfall tumbling off the North slopes of Mt ...   More ▶︎
Waterfall Flat

Waterfall Flat

Looking over the South branch of the Wilkin towards the Wilkin Waterfall Face and Mt Taurus.   More ▶︎
Head wall of Wonderland Valley

Head wall of Wonderland Valley

Taken in Mar 2006 after bush bashing up the true right of Wonderland stream. No trail just picking a way ...   More ▶︎
Closeup of the Wilkin Waterfall Route

Closeup of the Wilkin Waterfall Route

Hard to get a good angle of this! The route initially goes up the middle of the 2nd to the ...   More ▶︎
The Wilkin Waterfall Face

The Wilkin Waterfall Face

The route to Rabbit Pass climbs up the cliff to the right of the falls.   More ▶︎
Waterfall Flat from above

Waterfall Flat from above

Scungy weather continues to obscure the views, topped by a raging wind....   More ▶︎
Waterfall Face, Wilkin River

Waterfall Face, Wilkin River

Misty rain obscures the infamous Waterfall Face   More ▶︎
Upper Wilkin South Branch

Upper Wilkin South Branch

Taken from above the Waterfall Face looking South West towards Pickelhaube. Pearson Saddle is the low grassy bit beneath Pickelhaube ...   More ▶︎
Waterfall Flat from ontop of the Waterfall Face

Waterfall Flat from ontop of the Waterfall Face

Having made it to the top you are gifted views such as this.   More ▶︎
Mt Betsy Jane

Mt Betsy Jane

The Top Flats of the Wilkin valley are dominated by this mountain which towers about Top Forks hut. Named after ...   More ▶︎
New Siberia Hut

New Siberia Hut

The new hut was built and completed by the end of November 2011. It's a lovely little hut and after ...   More ▶︎
Siberia Hut

Siberia Hut

This is a popular hut on the Gillespie Pass circuit from the Young to the Wilkin.   More ▶︎
Siberia Hut

Siberia Hut

Popular hut in the Siberia Valley. Part of the Gillespie Pass circuit.   More ▶︎
The Siberia Valley

The Siberia Valley

This is looking downvalley from just below the Siberia hut. The Siberia airstrip is located right of frame across the ...   More ▶︎
Descent of the Matukituki Cliff

Descent of the Matukituki Cliff

Taken from the top of the cliff the route zigzags steeply down on the left of frame for about 20m ...   More ▶︎
East Branch Matukituki visible through the rain

East Branch Matukituki visible through the rain

Demon descent in the conditions   More ▶︎
Rabbit Pass from under Lois Peak

Rabbit Pass from under Lois Peak

Looking West along the cliff top towards Rabbit Pass, Pickelhaube and the Beauty Ridge above, the East Matukituki waterfall below.   More ▶︎
East Matukituki Cliff Route

East Matukituki Cliff Route

Not a good picture of the route, but the best I have! The descent down starts in the sunny bit ...   More ▶︎
Wilkin River flats

Wilkin River flats

Wilkin River flats, below Kevin Forks Hut.   More ▶︎
Tramp from the Haast to the Blue

Tramp from the Haast to the Blue

Tramping the Burke, Howe, Okuru and the Blue rivers via the Douglas and Maori saddles.   More ▶︎

The East Matukituki from Rabbit Pass - a video

Shot on my point and shoot digital camera, hopefully gives some idea of the amazing view from this spot!   More ▶︎
The East Matukituki from Rabbit Pass

The East Matukituki from Rabbit Pass

From just past the pass looking South over the valley from some 600 metres above the valley floor.   More ▶︎
Rabbit Pass

Rabbit Pass

A view of Rabbit Pass from just below the drop off point. In the distant is the route from Waterfall ...   More ▶︎
Birthplace of Rivers

Birthplace of Rivers

From such humble beginnings does the South branch of the Wilkin start.   More ▶︎
Olivine Wilderness Area

Olivine Wilderness Area

Remote country in the Olivine Range. The wilderness area includes the Red Hills, the Olivine Ice Plateau, and the Joe ...   More ▶︎
View from Pearson Saddle

View from Pearson Saddle

Looking West into the Pearson River valley with a distant glimpse of the Waiatoto valley.   More ▶︎
Rabbit Pass from Pearson Saddle

Rabbit Pass from Pearson Saddle

Looking from a great spot for lunch on the saddle towards the pass.   More ▶︎
Camping in the Jumboland

Camping in the Jumboland

After 8 hours slogging up the True left side of the flooded Wilkin it was time to stop for the ...   More ▶︎
Mt Jumbo from Wonderland

Mt Jumbo from Wonderland

View of Mt Jumbo from Wonderland valley   More ▶︎
Rabbit Pass is up there

Rabbit Pass is up there

View from the East Branch Matukituki River of the descent from Rabbit Pass   More ▶︎
Crucible Valley

Crucible Valley

Having cleared the bushline this view is offered of the head of the valley. The morrain forms Crucible Lake.   More ▶︎
The Young River

The Young River

The lower Young River passes through beech forest as the Gillespie Pass Circuit heads up its true left bank.   More ▶︎
Frosty Morning in the East Matukituki

Frosty Morning in the East Matukituki

Taken from near the rock biv at the top of Ruth Flats looking North towards Rabbit Pass in the clouds.   More ▶︎
Ruth Flat Bivy

Ruth Flat Bivy

Found at the North End of Ruth Flat this bivy provides easy accomodation for those not wanting to carry on ...   More ▶︎
North Ruth Flat Rock Bivvy

North Ruth Flat Rock Bivvy

Good rock bivvy formed by an overhanging rock cliff located north of Ruth Flat in the East Matukituki. On topo ...   More ▶︎
Icebergs in Crucible Lake

Icebergs in Crucible Lake

Taken January 24 2010, Crucible was full of bergs and avalanch debris this day.   More ▶︎
Avalanche at Crucible Lake

Avalanche at Crucible Lake

A crackling boom was followed by rumbling and a small 20-30 second avalanche of ice and snow came crashing down ...   More ▶︎
Crucible Lake 2

Crucible Lake 2

Crucible Lake located under Mt Alba often contains iceburgs but none were present this April.   More ▶︎
Crucible Lake

Crucible Lake

Taken from the Western end of the morrain, gives a good idea as to why the lake is named. Often ...   More ▶︎
Lake Crucible 2

Lake Crucible 2

Wilkin Mar 05   More ▶︎
Lake Crucible (trampers on moraine near outlet)

Lake Crucible (trampers on moraine near outlet)

Wilkin Mar 05   More ▶︎
Walking on Air

Walking on Air

Joseph (10 years old at the time) leaping across the stream on the way up to Crucible Lake, which is ...   More ▶︎
Young and Makarora Rivers

Young and Makarora Rivers

Confluence of the Young and Makarora Rivers near Haast Pass   More ▶︎
The Young River/Makarora River Confluence

The Young River/Makarora River Confluence

This is looking West up the Young Valley. The Gillespie Pass Circuit starts here at the other side of the ...   More ▶︎
Young Hut

Young Hut

The Young Hut - nice hut!   More ▶︎
Young Hut

Young Hut

A newly built hut (2006) with stainless steel benches. A inside sink with tap from rain tank. 2 rooms, one ...   More ▶︎
Young Hut

Young Hut

Young hut in the rain   More ▶︎
Young Hut

Young Hut

Young hut in the rain   More ▶︎
Gillespie Stream and the Siberia from Gillespie Pass

Gillespie Stream and the Siberia from Gillespie Pass

Looking South West from the pass, the Gillespie Stream snakes its way down towards the Siberia Valley. The valley across ...   More ▶︎
The Gillespie Saddle

The Gillespie Saddle

Taken from the hightest point of the Gillespie Pass track on point 1629 looking over the saddle towards point 1726. ...   More ▶︎
The boys, Gillespie Pass, Jan 2001

The boys, Gillespie Pass, Jan 2001

Aged 11 and 14, the lads proved remarkably resilient on the Wilkin/Young tramp, braving sandflies a the "Young Forks lunch ...   More ▶︎
Along way up

Along way up

The track to Gillespie Pass climbs nearly verically towards the pass. This is looking back down into the Young Valley ...   More ▶︎
The Head of the Young Valley

The Head of the Young Valley

The Head of the valley shortly before leaving the valley floor to begin the climb to Gillespie Pass up the ...   More ▶︎