On the Te Araroa in Cragieburn Forest Park
Ive done two trips along this section of the Te Araroa Trail once in 2012 and another in 2015. The section from Hamilton Hut to SH73 is part of the popular
Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track which I tramped back in 2012. I also did a day walk into Lagoon Saddle Hut in 2015, this post is a combination of photos from those two trips.
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| Track to the beginning of the Lagoon Saddle Track, Cora Lynn Station |
Access to this section of the trail starts just off State Highway 73, at the turn off to the Cora Lynn Station. This is approximately 3-4 kilometres past the Bealey Hotel.
SH73 to Lagoon Saddle Hut: 6 km's, 3 hours
The track climbs a short distance from the car-park to Bealey Hut, a basic 6 bunk hut off on a short side trail to
the right.There is space for several tents in front of the hut, the hut has toilets and a water tank you may use.
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| Map: Cora Lynn Station Road to Lagoon Saddle |
The track starts just to the right of Bealey Hut if you are walking in a South bound direction.
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| Track map at the entrance to the Lagoon Saddle Track, Craigieburn Forest |
Bealey Hut is an old NZFS70 six bunk hut built in the 1960's. It is in remarkably good condition considering how close to the road it is, it is a bit rustic inside but it is dry, relatively warm and well placed to start the 6-7 hour walk to Hamilton Hut.
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| Bealey Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
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| Interior of Bealey Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
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| Interior of Bealey Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
This track runs through Craigieburn Forest Park, there is a sign about 100 meters up the track on the boundary of the park.
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| Sign denotes beginning of Craigeburn Forest Park, Lagoon Saddle Track |
Beyond the hut the track continues to climb through beech and exotic forest. It then traverses the
broad north face of Mt Bruce, initially through forest but then through open tussock country.
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| Start of the climb into the forest, Lagoon Saddle Track |
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| Jon climb along the Lagoon Saddle Track |
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| Lagoon Saddle Track, open beech forest further up Mt Bruce |
About an hour along the track the vegetation changes to exotic forest, this was a trial erosion prevention planting by the old New Zealand Forest Service. These are mostly Pinus Radiata trees planted in the late 1980's.
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| Lagoon Saddle Track, change to exotic pine trees |
There are some nice views of the large Waimakiriri River Valley once you hit the edge of the forest.
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| Waimakiriri River Valley looking to the head of the river from the Lagoon Saddle Track |
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| Waimakiriri River Valley looking East from the Lagoon Saddle Track |
Once out of the forest you walk through tussock for about 45 minutes before gaining the crest of Lagoon Saddle. The track condition is generally good with some swampy spots along its length.
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| Lagoon Saddle Track, out of the forest and into the tussock |
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| Native mountain daisy alongside the Lagoon Saddle Track |
From the flank of Mt Bruce there are some spectacular views down onto Bealey Spur and the Waimakiriri River Valley further to the West.
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| The tarns on Bealey Spur from the Lagoon Saddle Track |
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| Mt Bruce, Craigieburn Forest Park from the Lagoon Saddle Track |
Eventually you reach the saddle with its clear views down onto the large tarn that gives Lagoon Saddle its name. This is up
towards Lagoon Saddle.
From the Saddle, follow board-walked sections of the track down to the bush-line. Lagoon Saddle A-Frame Shelter (2 bunks)
is a short distance lower down in the cover of the beech forest
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| The tarn on Lagoon Saddle from the Lagoon Saddle Track |
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| Jon resting on the flank of Mt Bruce, Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track |
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| First view of Lagoon Saddle A-Frame Hut, Harper Valley |
Lagoon Saddle A-Frame Hut is a small 2-3 person hut near the outlet of the tarn on Lagoon Saddle. There are two bunks/mattresses with space for a third person on the floor. Fairly basic accommodation but perfectly adequate as a lunch or overnight stop.
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| Lagoon Saddle A frame Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
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| Interior of Lagoon Saddle A Frame Hut |
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| Interior of Lagoon Saddle A Frame Hut |
Please note the area around Lagoon Saddle A-Frame Hut is very swampy with few good camp-sites. You would be better to camp in the nearby forest as it is fairly open in nature.
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| The swampy land surrounding Lagoon Saddle A Frame Hut |
Alternately
Lagoon Saddle Hut is located across the valley from the A Frame, cross in front of the waterfall and follow the short track.
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| Map: location of Lagoon Saddle Hut |
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| Lagoon Saddle Hut, Craigeburn Forest Park |
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| Interior of Lagoon Saddle Hut...Spartan but waterproof! |
It is basically a metal shed but has a couple of platforms for beds, but is waterproof and the river is not that far away as your water source. There is no heating and no insulation so it is really cold. It can probably hold 5-6 if people are willing to sleep on the concrete floor.
Lagoon Saddle Hut to West Harper Hut: 5 km's: 2-3 hours
The track then descends from Lagoon Saddle to the Harper River. The next section down to West
Harper Hut has numerous river crossings but these are straightforward in normal weather conditions, the track is well marked and easy to follow.
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| In the open forest just past Lagoon A Frame Hut |
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| Map: Lagoon Saddle to West Harper Hut |
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| A clearing in the Harper River Valley, Craigieburn Forest |
Eventually you will arrive at
West Harper Hut, a historic musterers hut.West Harper Hut, with its dirt floor and canvas bunks, provides historical interest and welcome shelter in poor
weather. Otherwise it is best to push on to the Hamilton Hut or stay at one of the Lagoon Saddle Huts.
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| West Harper Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
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| West Harper Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
As you can see the hut is very largely still in its original condition...it is very basic accommodation. BTW, those canvas bunks are the most devilish instrument of torture ever devised by one man to punish another.
There is plenty of space around the hut to camp if that suits you better.
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| The rustic interior of West Harper Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
I stopped at the hut for a break, it may be basic but at least it protects you from the murderous sand-flies you get in the area.
West Harper Hut to Hamilton Hut:
Beyond the West Harper Hut the route is an all weather one sidling alongside the river for about 2 hours. The Harper River is crossed on a swing bridge 20 minutes from Hamilton Hut. There
is also a awesome 3-wire bridge across Hamilton Creek about 5 minutes walk from Hamilton Hut.
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| Walking in the Harper River Valley |
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| The Harper River close to the swing-bridge |
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| Map: West Harper Hut to Hamilton Hut, Craigeburn Forest Park |
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| The Harper River swing-bridge, crossing the Harper River |
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| In between Harper River swing-bridge and the bridge over Hamilton Creek |
Eventually you arrive at
Hamilton Hut, or 'the Hamilton Hilton' as local trampers call it. It is in a nice location high above the river on a terrace. Hamilton Hut is possibly the largest hut you will visit on the Te Araroa, it only has 20 bunks but it has a lot of extra living space.
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| Hamilton Hut aka the Hamilton Hilton, Harper River Valley |
There was a very handy wheel barrow at the hut which made it easy to hump firewood to the door, I wish more DOC huts had one.
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| Hamilton Hut, Craigieburn Forest Park |
A well appointed DOC hut, Hamilton Hut has a mountain radio if you want to listen to the weather reports. There are two bunk rooms with a large communal living area...the wood burn works a real treat.
To be continued:
Access: SOBO from Arthurs Pass via SH 73 road walk or hitch to start. NOBO from Hamilton Hut, via the Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track to SH 73 at Cora Lynn Station
Track Times: 15 km's or 6-7 hours Cora Lynn Station to Hamilton Hut
Hut Details: Bealey Hut: standard, 6 bunks, wood burner, water tank, toilet; Lagoon Saddle A Frame Hut: basic, 2-3 bunks, water from stream, toilet; Lagoon Saddle Hut: basic, 5-6 spaces, water from stream; West Harper Hut: basic, 5 bunks (canvas), open fire, water from stream; Hamilton Hut: serviced, 20 bunks, wood burner, woodshed, water tank, toilets
Miscellaneous:High alpine conditions over winter, watch weather in region, rivers flood easily in heavy rain, some fall and rock fall hazards. Avalanche zone from May-November.
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