Gillespie Pass Circuit

This is a 3-4 day track that is located near Makarora at the head of Lake Wanaka. Being a loop track it can be tramped in either direction, but most parties start at the Young River valley and go over Gillespie Pass into the Siberia valley and then return to Makarora via the Wilkin valley. Jetboats operate on the Wilkin and Makarora and can be hired for those not wanting to walk or unable to cross due to high water levels, and scenic flights also operate from Makarora to an airstrip in the Siberia valley. A crossing of the unbridged Makarora River is required to both access and leave the track, so often jetboats are hired for this purpose. DoC has now built a 7km link track from the Blue Pools track to join the Young river if the Makarora is unfordable. Highlight of the circuit is Crucible Lake reached via daytrip from Siberia Hut (or a very long day from Young Hut).