KKK (Klondyke - Kelly - Klondyke)Very Experienced
Submitted by Alex Head
Back country - remote
Loop
Mountainous
Native bushOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Very Experienced
Not Suitable (Slow)
22:00 (Moderate)
16:00 (Fast)
-7.6%
+7.9%
Check with DOC on track status and river levels before going. Kelly's creek is washed out and has lots of storm damage with the track washed away in many places, although travel is still relatively easy down the river bed in low flows.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Men
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Description
A circumnavigation of the Arthurs pass range. The route starts and finishes at Klondyke corner. From Klondyke run up the braided Waimak valley past Carrington hut, up and over Harman Pass and down into the Taipo. After a rest and relax in the Julia Hut hot pools (don't take too long) climb steeply up Dry creek to gain the 1500m high saddle on Hunts ridge, sidle north and descend fast scree into Hunts creek. From here its a slow bush bash and boulder hop downstream to Hunts Creek hut and out Kellys creek to the highway. A short 3 km road run and then up and over the Deception to Goat pass. Don't get caught in the upper Deception on dark unless you are familiar with the route. FInal downhill leg along the Mingha, to return to the start.
Trail Community
Make Up of Run
Untracked / Route only: 60%
Technical Single Track: 30%
Moderate Single Track: 0%
Easy Single Track: 3%
Farm Road / 4WD Track: 2%
Sealed Road: 5%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate Strava activity for each
Photos:
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I did it!-
Access
Klondyke Corner
There is plenty of parking either side of the state highway at Klondyke corner
8 km
6 minutes
No
No
-
Staying Safe
Very hard.
The route is generally marked with DOC markers with the exception of the Dry Creek connection from the Taipo to Hunts Creek. Recommend to start early (we started at 4am) up the Waimak to ensure you can navigate safely up the Deception in daylight. We reached Goat Pass hut just on sunset.
Non-existent.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Gaiters.
Lots of water. Even Dry Creek had a steady flow of clean drinking water. We took a single 750ml water bottle and this was more than adequate.
Summer. Long daylight hours recommended.
Rivers. Ensure river levels are safe and there is a good weather window.
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Post run indulgence
Sheffield pie shop
Sheffield
N/A
The best pies around.The Bealey hotel
Bealey
n/A
Awesome food and very close to Klondyke. The perfect spot to enjoy a beer and meal after, or before or the next day. -
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Bealey - Avalanche Traverse
Goat Pass
Rome Ridge/Rough Creek Alpine Circuit
Cass-Lagoon Trail
Woolshed Whopper
Avalanche Peak - Crow River
Hawdon-Edwards Classic
Polar Discovery
The Taipo
Waimak Col (Otira to Klondyke)
The Bloody Limit
Oates for Breakfast
Avalanche Peak
Andrews-Poulter Circuit
Bealey Blaster
Encompassing Arthur's Pass
Barker's for Brunch
Otira Temple
Kelly Tops
Poulter River Ranger
Dash, Bash, Splash and Dash Harman Pass
Arthur's Pass Taster
