Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Mt Watson Croesus Loop
Submitted by Katie Smith
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 53
Gnarl Factor: 68
21.6km
1250m
1250m
1137m
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Katie Smith
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 53
Gnarl Factor: 68
21.6km
1250m
1250m
1137m
Back country - remote
Loop
Very hilly
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.8%
Average Downhill Gradient: -11.2%
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6:00
Slow
4:30
Moderate
3:00
Fast
Start from the Croesus track end. Within the first 50m of the track there is a signed turn-off on the left to the Mt Watson route - follow this. The first 3-4km climbs steeply through native bush before breaking out into tussock just before the Mt Watson trig and summit. From here on a clear day the views start to unfold.
Follow the route along an undulating ridgeline for the next 6km - it is poled, occasionally overgrown but in good visibility very easy to follow. Eventually you reach a better benched track cut into the slope. From here the track does a tight dogleg back to the left, with the main Croesus track visible below you. You can either cut steeply down offtrack to it, or follow the dogleg back left then right to join it.
From here the track is much wider and well-benched, with old mining stone culverts. Ces Clarke huts (historic and newer) provide a good rest and water stop at around the 12km mark, then the track continues on a steady gradient downwards back into native bush. There are a couple of short detours to mining relics which are worth looking at, then a few bridged river crossings before a final short climb back to the carpark.
Old and current mine workings visible, blue duck sometimes seen
No public transport. Lots of parking
6 km
10 minutes
Unknown
No
Hard.
Good visibility needed for the tops travel - poles are quite spaced out and the track overgrown in some places
Patchy.
Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Available at Ces Clarke hut and from creeks after this - water scarce for first 12km
Exposed to West Coast weather at any time of year, snow on tops during the winter.
Formerly the Blackball Hilton
Blackball
Interesting old pub with good food
Blackball Salami Company
Blackball
Worth a stop to stock up on delicious salami, black pudding, bacon, sausages or any other butcher's goods!
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Mt Watson Croesus Loop
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Awesome tops travel. Steady grunt up to Mt Watson followed by a well marked and trodden route to Croesus knob where the runnable trail starts. Worth stopping at the Blackball Hilton for lunch, I recommend the enormous bangers and mash for your recovery meal
April 18, 2022
Tired Legs, Happy Heart ❤️ Even on an overcast day this loop was sensational!!! A relatively easy, if a bit steep, climb to the summit. A bit of rock climbing, crevasse hopping, route pondering through the middle section. Followed by a glorious downhill all the way to the finish (well almost!)
December 12, 2021
Outstanding! Chose the right day for it, albeit a bit windy on the tops. Not much running to be had on the way up to Mt Watson but the ridgeline from there to Croesus is sensational - pretty technical running on a poled route with very little actual trail until you near the Croesus end. One for the connoisseur & lover of gnarl! I took the wee diversion over Croesus Knob itself - well worth it for the views. The long run out on what is now part of the Paparoa Great Walk is dreamy downhill (apart from the killer up at the end!) Love it, love it, love it!
November 10, 2020
These overlap with this trail 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 activity for each.
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