Andrews-Poulter CircuitIntermediate

Description

This can be run in either direction - the way that is described means you get to the major climb of Binser Saddle first, rather than at the end of the run. From the Binser Saddle sign follow the 4wd track for a short distance before another sign on the right shows where the track enters the beech forest. From here the track climbs steadily and at times quite steeply for a sustained 600m to the saddle, where you will come across an open tussocky flat surrounded by beech forest. From here there is a lovely flowing descent through beech right down into the Poulter Valley.

You will come out through some scrub and down a steep eroded slope before turning left onto the obvious 4wd track on the valley flats. This winds along through matagouri scrub with patches of beech for around 10km, and is easy pleasant running with a gentle gradient. About halfway along you reach the edge of Mt White Station and cross a stile - from here the 4wd track narrows to a quad bike track, and becomes grassier. Continue heading up the valley.

After the track starts into the beech again you will come across a fork in the track, with a sign to Casey Hut. Both the tramping and MTB tracks now point in the same direction along the same track showing 15 mins tramp to the hut. Follow the markers down to the flats and along to the new hut built June 2020. Continue along the flats to the site of the old hut. You may be able to see the charred outline of where it burnt down fairly recently. From the old hut site, follow the sign leading off to the left to Andrews Valley and Shelter. Soon the track starts to climb quite steeply through the trees, before sidling around for 2-3km

At around the 23km mark you come out into river flats, where the running is a mix of grass and some river bed running. You climb very gently to Casey Saddle, then enter another open flat (Hallelujah Flat), with a further mix of grassy single track, river shingle and a short distance of boardwalk. The views from here are stunning.

You re-enter the bush feeling like the end must be near, but there is a further 6km or so of up-and-down through the beech trees, before a steady descent to Andrews Stream and the shelter. The loop can be completed by adding 2km of gravel road between Andrews Shelter and the Binser Saddle car park, or else leave a car at Andrews Shelter on the way in.

Features of interest

This run provides a great mix of hills, technical rooty beech forest track, and easy river flat running. Stunning mountain surroundings.

Make Up of Run

Technical Single Track: 40%

Moderate Single Track: 30%

Farm Road / 4WD Track: 30%

Route Data