Serpentine Lakes Lasso

Disclaimer: This route includes a considerable amount of unmarked and not always obvious terrain, with steep drops, exposed traverses, and some serious route finding. The map, GPX file and this guide should be used as general guidance, but make your own decisions. Conditions can change. Be aware some of the route can hold snow until late summer.

Start from Routeburn carpark on the Routeburn Track and head up towards Harris Saddle. At about 1200m as you gain views of Lake Harris, take the trapline that heads off from the main track towards the lake outlet. From here it's all unmarked terrain until you reach Conical Hill.

Cross the outlet and head up towards point 1455, sliding across on its side towards a creek spring. From here, use your judgment to find a nice route towards the ridge of Xenicus by looking at the terrain and topo lines, aim for the less steep terrain.

As you gain the main ridge at 1600m, head up towards the summit. A few rock cains might help with navigation.

Coming down from the N side of the summit towards Erebus is the trickiest part of the route. Patiently scramble your way down a find one scree gully that will take you down a more gentle slope. From there to Erebus is a more gentle terrain and easier navigation with some nice big boulders.

From the Erebus summit again a little tricky section coming down, be patient and look for a steep scree gully on your left, that should take you to more gentle terrain. From here stay on the ridge/high points as much as you can and loop around towards the other side of the lake where you have great views of Hollyford Valley.

Aim for point 1646, then slide across on the east side of it before reaching its summit. This is quite a tricky section as well as there are some sheer drops to the valley of the trolls.

Once on the other side of point 1646, a steep scree descent towards the little saddle at 1390 with a couple of points you need to find your way down on the sides of it, then head towards Conical Hill.

Once at Conical Hill, enjoy the views and head back to the Routeburn Track.

Be prepared for this route to take you a long time - while a lot of the ridge is fun to run and you can make up good time, it most likely will require you to backtrack a few times to find the right path.