Jack Hall's SaddleIntermediate
Submitted by Isaac Walker
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, some big hills
Native bushRiversideOpen tussock/grasslandsOpen ridges/tops
Intermediate
5:00 (Slow)
3:45 (Moderate)
2:30 (Fast)
-12.9%
+12.9%
Can be very slippery after rain - especially towards the saddle.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Description
A very easy trail to follow. Follow the Motatapu Track signs and you can't go wrong! The track goes to the right-hand side of Fern Burn Hut and continues up to the saddle. Quite a few sidles on the way but some of the most gorgeous single track as well.
Trail Community
Features of interest
Fantastic forest running near the beginning. Pass by Fern Burn Hut. Some of the best single track in the country just before and after the hut up to the saddle.
Make Up of Run
Technical Single Track: 30%
Moderate Single Track: 40%
Easy Single Track: 30%
Route Data
Reviews:
Overlapping Runs
The following trails overlap with this run 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 Strava activity for each
Photos:
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I did it!-
Access
Follow Motatapu Track Signs - park in carpark prior to river crossing.
Parking is pretty safe - I haven't heard of any issues here ever. You can ride a bike from Wanaka, hitch or use your own transport.
15 km
17 minutes
No
No
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Staying Safe
Easy.
Nothing really! Follow the DOC signs and the track, can't go wrong!
Patchy.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival blanket, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries, Crampons / microspikes (for winter conditions), Gaiters.
You follow the river for the majority of the way and plenty of opportunities to refill. Obviously not down where the cattle and sheep are grazing.
Water nearly always available at Fern Burn Hut too.If wet it will be very slippery. In winter there will be snow and ice around - probably quite dangerous up the top section in bad conditions and would be unsuitable to do.
Some steep drops either side of the single track en-route.
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Post run indulgence
Urban Grind
Ardmore St, Wanaka
http://www.urbangrind.co.nz
Good coffee, beer and tapas style food.The Big Fig
Ardmore St, Wanaka
http://bigfig.co.nz/
Great homey cooked meals, good coffee. -
Sponsor this trail
See other runs nearby:
Motatapu River Track
Ironside Hill
Rock Peak Track
Deans Bank Loop
Minaret Burn Track (short)
Wanaka Skyline Trail
Fern Burn Hut
Rocky Diamond
Upper Clutha River Loop
Rob Roy Glacier Track
Motatapu Track - Full Monty
Wanaka LRMI (Lake, River, Mt. Iron)
Rock of Ages
Run Rabbit Run
Roy's Peak
Isthmus Peak
Luggate to Albert Town
Cardrona to Meg Hut
Little Criffel from the Larches
Mt Iron Loop
Liverpool Hut
Boundary Creek Track
Long Gully Loop
Hawea River Track
High on Hikuwai
French Ridge hut
Little Criffle A to B
Lindis Peak Track
Mt Pisa via Kirtle Burn Track
Butterfields Wetlands Loop
Matukituki Cascade Saddle Dart Epic