Mt Aspiring National Park holds some of the most impressive alpine landscapes in Aotearoa.
Experienced and well prepared trampers can explore rivers
lakes, valley meadows and mountain peaks all carved from colossal glaciers over thousands of years.
Makarora is an entry point to one of the region's most spectacular
but equally hazardous tramping trips.
The Gillespie Pass Circuit is a 58 kilometre 3-4 day alpine adventure that should
only be attempted by experienced trampers with solid river crossing skills. The best time of
year to attempt the circuit is from December through April. There are some long days involved
so factor this in when planning your walk during the shorter daylight hours in March and April. It's
not recommended to walk outside of this period due to snow cover and complex avalanche terrain along
multiple parts of the track. The average daily summer temperature sits around 6-14 degrees
and you can expect approximately 178 days of rain per year. It's important to remember that Gillespie
passes an alpine environment so there's a good chance you will experience heavy rain, strong winds,
snow and freezing temperatures even in the height of summer. Prepare for all conditions
by taking warm and waterproof clothing as well as a good pair of tramping boots. This is a long trip
in remote dynamic terrain with high consequences and no cell phone reception so you'll need to pack
an emergency shelter, extra food and a distress beacon. As with all walks and tramps in New Zealand
make sure you leave your intentions with a trusted contact and inform them when you've
finished your tramp. You can do this on our Plan My Walk app. It takes the guesswork out of trip
planning by bringing together the information you need. It's packed with heaps of useful features to
help you create a trip plan to share with others. Download the app or check out planmywalk.nz
The Gillespie Pass Circuit can be walked in either direction but it's recommended to start
in the Young River Valley as it's easier to climb the side of the pass than descend it
particularly in slippery conditions. The start of the track is reached by crossing the Makarora river
and there are a few ways to do this. The first and most recommended option is to get a short
affordable jet boat right across this is safe and a great way to start a tramp. The second option is
to start the track from the Blue Pools Carpark which has a bridge to get across the river this
is safe and won't cost anything but it will add 1.5 to 2 hours to an already long day.
The last option is to cross the Makarora river yourself this is a big river and it requires solid
river crossing skills and experience even at the best of times. People have lost their lives going
in and coming out of the circuit using this method. Don't attempt it when the river is running high
and don't underestimate the potential consequences of a river crossing just to save a few dollars
or a couple of hours. Once you are on track you will have a 6-7 hour, 20 kilometre
tramp through some lovely native forest as you follow the Young River upstream. Expect to get your
feet wet as there are numerous creek crossings and some of these will be impassable during heavy rain.
The track can be uneven and slippery when wet or icy so take your time and focus on foot placement.
Eventually the river will fork into two different valleys and this is where you'll find Young Forks
Campsite. This is a nice spot in dry weather however it should be avoided during periods of
heavy rain as a dammed lake up the valley could fail causing a flash flood in this whole area.
Shortly after the junction the track crosses an active slip, avoid stopping in the section
particularly when it's raining and don't cross if you see signs that it's currently moving.
As you progress along the track you'll start to do some real climbing up through the forest.
Young Hut will mark the end of your first day camping isn't permitted at this hut. The cleared
area around it is for helicopter landings only. The next morning Young Hut should be used as
a decision-making point. You have a 12 kilometre 6-8 hour day up and over Gillespie Pass.
Assess the weather up the valley in the morning. This is a big section that shouldn't be attempted
with consistent rain, high winds or if snow is present. Should this be the case it may be
better to wait it out in Young Hut or head back to Blue Pools Carpark. The day starts with a gradual
climb up to Young Basin. Top up on water in one of the creeks before you start climbing up the pass
it's the last water available until you descend into the valley on the other side
and this will be much later in the day. The ascend up the pass is tough, steep and exposed
pace yourself and watch your footing. From Young Basin there's over 600 metres of elevation to gain
and there isn't much room for error. Keep an eye on the weather and remember that retreating to Young
Hut is always an option. On a clear day all that climbing uphill will be rewarded with the
spectacular alpine views. If you've planned your day well this is a great spot for a break while
gazing up at the unfittingly named Mount Awful. This is a unique and fragile alpine environment
as a result camping is not permitted. The descent from the pass is also very steep, it
starts with a small section of unstable rock and eventually heads below the bush line. The
tree roots are tightly packed in here and this whole section can be slippery making it easy
to fall over or hurt yourself. Take the descent slow and watch your footing the whole way down.
Just when you think there can't possibly be any more downhill you will hit the valley floor.
The flat ground will feel great but you still have around 2.5 kilometres of valley
floor walking to go. This is relatively straightforward and also intensely scenic.
The last kilometre before the hut has a few creeks that flood during heavy rain making them
impassable. It can be tempting to push through with the hut so close but this could be fatal
at the wrong time so waiting for water levels to drop is a wise decision. If the creeks are low and
crossable you can continue on to Siberia Hut which must be booked in advance. This is a great spot to
watch the sunset over the valley and it has some of the best night sky views in the world. There
is a lot of moisture in the valley so you might have a foggy start the next morning. There is an
optional day trip up to Crucible Lake from Siberia Hut so factor this in when planning your trip. As
always assess the weather before heading off if all is looking clear you can pack lighter for the
day but still take a distress beacon, first aid kit, waterproof jacket, some food and water and an
emergency shelter. It's always wise to be prepared for an unplanned night out however don't plan on a
night at the lake, camping is not permitted due to the fragile alpine environment and vulnerability
of the local rock wren. To start the walk up to Crucible Lake you'll need to backtrack up the
valley which means crossing the same creeks from the previous day. Eventually you'll also need to
cross the much larger Siberia Stream which is also prone to flooding during heavy rain and
can even rise on sunny days as the snow melts at higher elevations. This means you could cross
it with not much trouble in the morning but the afternoon return trip could be a different story.
Being familiar with the Mutual Support Method is essential. Check out our River Crossing
Video for more info on this technique and other considerations when it comes to crossing rivers.
The track leaves the valley floor with a steep climb up through the bush. There is another creek
crossing on the way up so be mindful of this as the weather progresses throughout the day.
The track up to Crucible Lake is definitely worth it and a quick swim can refresh the
body but it's also extremely cold so make sure you can get warm and dry as soon as you get out.
When you have finished taking in this amazing alpine lake just head back the way you came in.
On your final day of the circuit you'll have a 7-8 hour walk out to Makarora from
Siberia Hut. Kerin Forks Hut is located near the route but requires a serious river crossing which
is impassable during heavy rain. The hut isn't a necessary stop so you can continue on to walk out
the Wilkin Valley without visiting it. The biggest hazard on your way out is the final crossing
of the Makarora River at the end of the Wilkin Valley. This is a braided crossing that changes
after every storm so track markers shouldn't be used to determine the best place to cross
but rather to indicate where the track is on each side. There are also isolated areas of quicksand
around the river but these are easily avoided. There have been fatalities crossing the river
here in the past so avoid crossing if you aren't confident in the conditions or your abilities.
The Makarora river crossing and the majority of the final day can be avoided entirely by either
booking a jet boat pickup from Kerin Forks or a flight out from the Siberia airstrip. Both
options need to be booked in advance but the operators are aware of the communication
challenges on route and can discuss contingency plans with you prior to your trip. If you choose
to fly out just keep in mind that crossing Siberia Stream is required to access the airstrip.
The Gillespie Pass Circuit is a stunning alpine adventure for experienced trampers.
Prepare for a safe trip by: Aiming to tramp between December and April. Have river crossing
skills and experience. Pack an emergency shelter, extra food and a distress beacon. Book Siberia Hut
and any jet boats or flights well in advance. Check the forecast and have a chat with the DOC Visitor
Centres in Wānaka or Haast prior to departing. If you have the right skills, experience and
preparation you won't find a much better walk in the world than the Gillespie Pass Circuit.