Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate - Experienced

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I've done it Done

Mt Sale via Crown Peak and Mt Scott

Arrowtown, Otago

Submitted by Sierra Alef-Defoe

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Intermediate - Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 40 ?

Gnarl Factor: 46 ?

18.5km

1585m

1585m

1735m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Undulating, some big hills

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

30%
15%
40%
15%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +16.4%

Average Downhill Gradient: -16.4%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

5:00

Slow

4:00

Moderate

3

Fast

The beginning section from Crown Range Carpark to Mount Scott isn't a track, but a steep uphill bush bash.

After Mount Scott you begin to follow a fence line and orange cairns appear going up to Crown Peak on more undulating hills.

From Crown Peak, a 4wd track takes you most of the way to Mount Sale -- this is also the flattest section of track.

The last bit up to the top of Mount Sale is more of a goat trail. A bit of route finding skills are required, and in a white-out it is essential to have a topo/GPS to navigate by.

This trail includes the peaks Crown Peak, Mount Sale and Mount Scott.

Views all around: Whakatipu basin, Pikirakitahi-Mt Earnslaw, Arrowtown & Lake Hayes, Soho River basin, Cardrona ski area, Cardrona town & lake Wanaka, the Pisa Range, the Remarkables, Walter & Cecil Peaks.

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16 km

20 minutes

Unknown

No

Moderate.

There seem to be cairns leading a different way down just below Crown Peak on the Crown Range Road side, which I imagine goes down somewhere between Coal Creek and Foxs Gully.

There is also an alternate way down just past Crown Peak on the Mt Sale side where you can take a 4wd track down to Arrowtown.

Generally good.

Windproof jacket, Gloves, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

No water sources along the track

In the winter this track would be largely snow-covered. The rest of the year: white-out conditions would make it harder to navigate, and of course no rewarding views. Any time of year this ridge is prone to wind.

Trail Legend

Wendy Du Toit

Wendy Du Toit

has completed Mt Sale via Crown Peak and Mt Scott twice in the last year.

Learn about Trail Legends.

You and Mt Sale via Crown Peak and Mt Scott

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Trail Reviews

Fantastic trail with amazing views over wakatipu basin and Cadrona valley..
Highly recommend!!

Adam Clifford

February 6, 2023

This is an absolutely sensational out and back trail. Amazing views as you would expect at this elevation. The only thing I can think of to say is just do it. Oh and FYI there’s 280m of elevation gain in the first 1.2km 😀

Mike Kerr

May 7, 2022

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