Gillespie Pass track

The Gillespie Pass track goes up to 1630m at its highest point so you will want to walk it as late as possible in the year to give the winter snows a chance to melt. The Wilkin up to Top Forks and the Wilkin lakes is fine, you could do that in winter although it would be bloody cold in the valley. Note the Siberia hut burnt down back at the start of the year so you will need to carry a tent.

If you camp (watch the sandflies) at the junction of Gillespie stream and Siberia, it minimises the side trip to Lake Crucible. It's only an hour or less down to the old Siberia hut site and about another three hours or so to Kerin Forks. Late summer is likely the better conditions. A little snow can remain on the south side of the pass but should be avoidable.

Yeah, best time would be Jan - late April. Ive crossed snow above the Gillespie Saddle twice in February, although its just little patches. If you have to go late in the year (Oct-December) then watch for avalanches at the head of the Young valley. You also might have problems getting across the Makarora at the very start of the track, and getting across the Wilkin in order to head up to Top Forks due to Spring Melt flooding the rivers. You can cross the Makarora via a bridge about an hour upriver at the Blue Pools, but you would need to use the Wilkin river Jetboats to cross the Wilkin at Kerin Forks if the river is up.

thanks guys for all the info I still would like to do it in late November december.I had heard about the blue pools high water track and the wilkin river jets next question witch way to do it Option 1:Makarora to Young Hut Young Hut to Siberia hut Siberia Hut to lake Crucible Siberia Hut to Kerin forks Hut kerin Forks Hut to Top Forks Hut Top forks Hut to lake Diana, lake Lucidus Top Forks Hut back to Makarora [7 days] Option 2: do the whole thing in reverse Any thoughts on these ideas Lindsay

Would recommend doing the Young-Wilkin circuit as your Option 1. Why ? Because it's a steep climb / zig-zag from the head of the Young to Gillespie Pass and easier to go up rather than down especially if there's snow about or it's raining. Remember to carry enough water. Check with DoC first about the new Siberia Hut before you leave. This could save you packing a tent.

You can do it in either direction but I personally would rather go up to the Gillespie Saddle from the Young side then desend on that side... its 500 metres of very steep terrain and dangerous in the wet. Much easier to slip going down then up. The Siberia hut burnt down. Its 4 hours tops from the old hut site to Kerin Forks, theres no need to stay at the Kerin Forks hut. Day 1: Makaroa to Young hut (6-8 hours) Day 2: Young hut to Siberia valley camp spot. (5-6 hours) You can camp anywhere in the Siberia... its big and flat and grass for much of its length... it would make the most sence to camp somewhere near the start of the track up to Crucible lake. Day 3: Siberia camp spot to Top Forks hut via Kerin Forks. (3-4 hours to Kerin Forks, furthur 4-5 hours to Top Forks) Check with Wilkin River Jets in Makarora berfore seting out on day 1 if they have a schedualed pickup/drop off for this day. If not then you can either chance your luck with a river crossing, or wait at the river side and hope for a jetboat. Expect them at any time from 11am, there is a lot of them over summer. You could always make your own booking of coarse, in advance. Day 4: Top Forks to the Wilkin lakes. Diana and Lucidus are easy to get to. 4 hour round trip tops. Its alot longer if you go right up to Castalia, and very tiring. Add another 3 hours return. Worth it though. Day 5: Top Forks to Kerin Forks, then either jetboat or walk out (long day walking out, probbaly better to stay at Kerin Forks and walk out following day).

Woops, just looked at the DoC website. New Siberia hut is due to open December 20th 2011. Hmmm well guess you wont need to camp then unless you want to!