Old Ghost Road
- 4 – 5 days return by the same track
- Medium
- Bookings required
A four or five day tramp from the Lyell Campsite(off SH6 in the Buller Gorge) to the Mokihinui road end (off SH67 near Seddonville). This trip uses the Mokihinui-Lyell-Backcountry-Trust (MLBT) cycle trail and at the time of writing (end of Nov 2013) includes about 24km of unformed marked route (suitable for experienced trampers with route-finding skills). Over the next 12-18 months this section will be upgraded to cycle trail standards, which will alter the estimated tramping times given. DOC has information on their website (refer links) but the most up-to-date information on track conditions will be on the MLBT website.
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Walking time
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4 – 5 days
18 hr
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Distance
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80.0km |
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Type
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Return by the same track
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Grade
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Medium |
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Bookings
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Bookings required
Required
There are four Trust huts on the track that need to be booked.
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Starts
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Lyell Campsite off SH6 in the Buller Gorge |
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Ends
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Mokihinui road end off SH67 near Seddonville |
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Maps
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-
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Altitude
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200m
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1,350m
Altitude change 1,150m
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Day 1: Lyell Campsite to Lyell Saddle Hut. 18km 4-6 hours
Gentle uphill all the way to the Hut. One narrow section of the track traverses a slip and the Trust has erected gates at either end as a warning to cyclists to dismount. An attempt has been made by the track makers to achieve a very comfortable 1 in 5 gradient with 10% variation. Over the course of the mountain bike track most likely the hardest thing for tampers will be the hard metal (rock/gravel) underfoot.
Lyell Saddle Hut(s) comprise a the main hut with 6+4 single bunks and two smaller huts with two twin bunks. The smaller huts are cosy without heating.
Day 2: Lyell Saddle Hut to Ghost Lake Hut 12km 3-5 hours. Ghost Lake to Stern Valley Hut 11km 4-6 hours
Continue the gentle climb to Ghost Lake Hut (bunk numbers with one smaller hut similar to Lyell) which is situated in an outstanding position above the small lake with features great views North to the Lyell Range and beyond. From here the cycle track changes to a lightly padded marked route and descends sharply down a steep spur then climbs back up to the ridge with easy travel through scrub before descending again steeply to Stern Creek. Although it is well marked, the route here is through bush that is quite thick at times. Minimal clearing of the unformed route has been undertaken so keeping sight of the track markers is essential.
Day 3: Stern Valley Hut - Goat Creek Hut 13km 4-7 hours - Mokihinui Forks Hut 8.5km 2-3 hours.
Travel up valley heading North on a tributary towards Solemn Saddle. Trampers can take the marked route in a direct line to the saddle (to the West[?] of past Lakes Grim and Cheerful (the proposed cycle way is to the East(?) and marked with poles (avoid following this direction). There is a This second poled route on the will eventually cross the slip face to the east of the trampers route which also goes both will lead to the Saddle. Steep climbing and sidling in heavy brush will achieve the saddle From there the route descends to Goat Creek after a traverse sidle and descent more or less on a which follows the ridge line in mixed brush and beech to meet the formed cycle trail in the valley. About 1.5km(?) brings you to Goat Creek Hut (DOC) which is sited off the cleared cycle trail across the (creek?) about 500m before the junction with the Mokihinui River, the hut’s position and is not signposted. Following the cycle-way from Goat Creek in about 1km cross the Mokihinui river and follow the cycle trail to Mokihinui Forks Hut (DOC).
Day 4: Mokihinui Forks Hut - Mokihinui Road end 19.5km 5 - 7.5 hours
An easy day following the Mokihinui river gorge first to a remarkably sited Specimen Point Hut (MLBT) (10) plus Red Queen sleep-out (4) then on the end of the cycle trail at Mokihinui Road traversing amazing gorged river walls with bridged crossings of brutal gullies and spectacular views.