Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Experienced

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I've done it Done

Remarkables and Wye Creek

Queenstown, Otago

Submitted by Kevin Dibley

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Experienced

Save Trail Save

I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 40 ?

Gnarl Factor: 91 ?

16.8km

590m

1650m

1975m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Back country - remote

Point to Point (one way)

Mountainous

Native bush

Open tussock/grasslands

Open ridges/tops

Run Makeup

5%
10%
20%
65%

Farm Road / 4WD Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Untracked / Route only

Average Uphill Gradient: +13.1%

Average Downhill Gradient: -15.0%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

5:00

Slow

4:00

Moderate

2:30

Fast

There are two ways into the Wye Valley:
1. From the car park head up the Lake Alta track to Lake Alta and here pick uptake poled route to the saddle that is just under Pt2050.
2. Head for the saddle to the east (left as you look at it) by tracing the route on the map that goes with this guide.
Once over either saddle, you need to get a direct sight of the lower lakes and slowly aim toward them. You will be going over snow grass and schist boulder slopes - it's steep in places and carefully route choice is important.

After the lakes there isa 300m bluff that you need to pick your way down and then you just need to keep the river to your right as you head down into the Valley.

In the lower half of the run, follow the cairns (man made stone piles) that lead you on the right paths. Some are hard to see but keep an eye out.
When you get to the trees at the gorge, look out for the orange DOC triangle and cross the river. You'll see a trail and it will lead to the DOC sign for Carpark.

Snow and schist, big waterfalls, a few lakes, running beside a river all the way down.

Plenty of parking at the Base building. One way trip though so best to get dropped off, and picked up at bottom of run (or leave a car at end of run)

24 km

37 minutes

Unknown

No

Hard.

Fairly safe in that you are following the valley down. Careful on picking the bluff descent spots.

Non-existent.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Short-sleeved thermal 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.

Throughout run. When needed, take it from the river.

Snow and winter will be a problem and dangerous. Also with high winds and rain, it can funnel through the valley.

Streams run under the boggy patches and your footing can break through so be careful running through that.
When going down the bluffs, make sure your running partner isn't directly below you as loose rocks (large enough) can be deadly.

Jacks Point Clubhouse
Jacks Point, Queenstown
http://www.jackspoint.com/restaurant/
Soak your legs in Lake Tewa and enjoy a beer or two. Awesome staff

Gibbston Tavern
Gibbston Valley, Queenstown
http://www.gibbstontavern.co.nz
Pick a shady tree on the grass, and enjoy a beer and pizza.

Sherwood Pub
Queenstown
http://sherwoodqueenstown.nz/
Good beer, laid back and enjoy the food and young crowd

You and Remarkables and Wye Creek

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Trail Reviews

Absolute stunner of a route, the highlight for me being the tarns. Would love to head back and spend a night camping up there. We went in late summer from Wye up to Remarks and got picked up by a friend doing the GT.

Sierra Alef-Defoe

September 23, 2023

Fun wee adventure. Did this in reverse from direction shown (went Wye Creek to Lake Alta), then cruised down Remarks access road (+14 km, all downhill ~10% grade) with great views the entire way--wheeeeee!). Definitely a route, not a track. Lots o' tussock in the middle of valley. Scrambling up the waterfall near head of valley was slightly sketchy--hadn't rained in for ~48 hours previous, but everything was wet and a bit slick. Wanted to love the views, but didn't fall in love fairly barren & rocky terrain, though the giant toothy peaks looming overhead are spectacular. Did love the more remote feel of this one

Jon Erickson

January 4, 2022

A group of us snuck this trip in for Easter 2019, just before winter really set in! We broke it up by staying in the rock bivvy partway. Excellent trip, fun trail, although some MASSIVE tussocks to run around! Definitely needed all our warm layers for heading up above Lake Alta, although it warmed up again as we made our way down past the wee lakes and tarns :)

Miriam Bartlett

January 7, 2020

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