Last Updated: 18th Feb 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

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I've done it Done

Mount Somers Summit Loop via Pinnacles Hut

Methven, Canterbury

Submitted by Fiona Stechmann

Last Updated: 18th Feb 2024

Intermediate - Experienced

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I've done it Done

Grunt Factor: 43 ?

Gnarl Factor: 78 ?

15.0km

1500m

1500m

1687m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Loop

Very hilly

Native bush

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

10%
30%
40%
20%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +21.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -18.1%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

Not suitable

Slow

4.30:00

Moderate

3:00

Fast

Start from the Sharplin Falls car park and take the track that is marked to Mount Somers Summit.

Follow this until you come to the turnoff for the summit and then turn right on to this track. The summit track is less well marked but is fairly easy to follow with marker poles and cairns but essentially you are just following the spur up to the summit ridge. The summit is marked with a trig point and an inspirational wooden structure!

From here there is no official track but you continue NW staying to the northerly side of the wide flat ridge for 1.5km untill you can see a way down to the saddle below with the main Mt Somers track passing over it. There are cairns along the top but these may be hard to see in some weather conditions so do not rely on using them. The way down is via a steep but navigable rocky spur which leads directly to the high point of the Mt Somers track. From here follow the track east towards the Pinnacles hut then on down to the carpark.

This trail includes the peak Mount Somers.

The summit of Mt Somers offers great views on a clear day

Lots of parking available with toilets and a shelter on site, be aware there have been multiple break-ins here and while there are now cameras installed it is best to not leave valuables in your car.

29 km

25 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

Very patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions), Gaiters

Water is available in lots of creeks on the way down and at the hut but none available on the way up

Snow possible on the tops year round, tops are very exposed to strong winds.

Trail Legend

AM

Alastair McDowell

has completed Mount Somers Summit Loop via Pinnacles Hut twice in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

Loved this circuit, and the swimming hole 1min from the carpark to freshen up after the muddy descent from the hut. Unfortunately there was a sign at Pinnacles Hut that giardia is present in the stream that supplies the hut and that you follow below the hut. So if you want to top up you might want to consider taking aquatabs or a filter, or seek out a 'wilder' tributary further downstream.

Kirsty Huxford

April 9

Fantastic loop. The route from the summit descending via the north face to the saddle is now poled and very easy to follow (in good visibility).

Tom Brennan

May 7, 2022

I did this as a Fastpack staying at Pinnacles Hut. Left the carpark at 4.30pm in rain and low cloud. Day 2 was raining on my return but at the top it was just me and the fog. It was still incredible!!! How cool is that monument and hidden book! I downloaded the GPX file so I knew where to turn off from the main track. Thank you!!!

Alice Brice

December 29, 2021

Love this loop. Was cold on the summit with new snow dusting in the higher mountains. Sam joined me and we took different lines down to saddle but similar times. I love the technical run out with Duke Knob just keeping you honest in the end. Nice chatty loop taking me 3.30hrs.

Sia Svendsen

January 18, 2021

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These overlap with this trail 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 activity for each.

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