Last Updated: 11th Jan 2024
Looping Mt Harper
Submitted by Fiona Stechmann
Last Updated: 11th Jan 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 45 ?
Gnarl Factor: 71 ?
19.5km
1300m
1300m
1860m
Last Updated: 11th Jan 2024
Submitted by Fiona Stechmann
Last Updated: 11th Jan 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 45 ?
Gnarl Factor: 71 ?
19.5km
1300m
1300m
1860m
Front country - easily accessible
Combo
Very hilly
Open farmlands
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +12.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -14.2%
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Not suitable
Slow
4:30
Moderate
3:00
Fast
From Lake Camp start along the track that is signposted towards Lake Emma. Follow this cross the stile and continue until you cross the obvious riverbed that may or may not be dry.
Soon after crossing the riverbed take the righthand turn onto the well formed but unmarked track that heads up towards Balmacaan Saddle. Continue to follow this trail till you start to climb up to the saddle when the trail runs out. From here you head up to the saddle, you can follow the fence line but the vegetation is easier to negotiate slightly further to the left - you are pretty much just looking for animal trails to find the easiest way up.
Once you reach the saddle you then follow the ridge to the right up towards pt1658. From here stay on the ridge up to Mt Harper. There are lots of options for descending - look at the spurs that you pass on the way up to get a good idea of which one you want to come down as some of them are quite steep. The one followed by this route is good travel and only one small section of spaniard and matagouri, but easily negotiable. To access this from Mt Harper continue north towards pt 1506 then west on the first obvious but narrow spur between the two stream valley. Stay on the spur all the way back down to the track along Balmacaan Stream and then go back the way you came.
This trail includes the peak Mount Harper/Mahaanui.
Lots of parking by Lake Camp, Toilets available next to Lake Camp or slightly further up the main road towards Lake Clearwater.
33 km
34 minutes
Unknown
No
Hard.
Do not attempt unless you have good navigation skills, especially if there's anything but perfect visibility.
Very patchy.
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, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions), Gaiters
None once you leave Balmacaan Stream
Snow is possible year round but likely in winter. This route is very exposed from all directions. Low cloud or fog could make navigation quite difficult so good map and compass skills are important.
Lost of Spaniard and Matagouri.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Looping Mt Harper
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Magic .... apart from as Steve said be prepared! I had low cloud to the point that I had to use my topo app to find my way. I should of had a hard copy of map as back up as I would of been stuffed if I dropped my phone. Lesson learnt ... fortunately not the hard way. I went the other way as per instructions of foothills book by Pat Barrett.
September 20, 2021
Stunning, On a good day! .. Can get very windy and exposed up high. Upto the saddle is very runnable then the push to the top there's a lot tussock hopping & spanniard dodging rewarded with spectacular views, always sunny above the clouds on the decent got a little mistified as the fog rolled in, nztop50 & the wife's Macpac puffer jacket came in handy! Steep decent on the ridge looping back down to the track with a fun and enjoyable run back to the carpark nice to stretch the legs out 👍
December 28, 2020
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