Really spectacular views from the summit of Mt Alaska (1965m), but there’s plenty of great scenery on the way up if you want a shorter walk. Highly recommended.
The views from the summit of Mt Alaska (1965m) are some of the best I’ve seen, and climbing this mountain isn’t as difficult as some other walks around Glenorchy. You don’t have to go all the way to the summit for excellent views, but if you have the time and energy I highly recommend it.
There’s a straightforward marked route as far as Heather Jock Hut via either Bonnie Jean Hut or Jean Hut, then an unmarked route up a ridge to the summit. There are excellent views from a flat area containing evidence of mining activity at about 1440m, so I suggest going that bit further past Heather Jock Hut. The climb to the summit from there is steep through areas of scree, but it was fairly safe in good weather, and felt satisfyingly adventurous for someone not so used to this sort of terrain (and I was by myself). Track notes at the end.
Mt Alaska ascent: The Scenery
Click here to see my photos from this walk 6 months later in winter.
The views start getting good at this point, and then never stop being good. Mt McIntosh (1701m) and Black Peak (1989m). The distinctive Jean Hut: the roof is held down by large rocks. Heather Jock Hut and Mt Alaska behind. It didn’t take all that long to climb the mountain from this point, and if you have the daylight hours I think it’s worth the extra effort. The view towards the Dart River from Heather Jock Hut. A kea climbing on Heather Jock Hut. A kea at Heather Jock Hut. A few pictures of kea on the wing. Only the top left photo was fully in focus unfortunately. A kea on old mining equipment. Looking up towards Mt Alaska. You can see a track running across the mountain that leads to a derelict hut I believe. Excellent views from a mining area at about 1400m. Excellent views from a mining area at about 1400m. The Buckler Burn valley. Loved the shapes, textures and colours. Nice colours there. The final ascent of Mt Alaska along a ridge and through scree. Looked a bit intimidating at first but was fine.
Views from the summit…
Mt Alfred in the middle there. That’s a great walk. A panorama roughly north-west. Mt Alfred and the Dart River centre left. Mt Larkins (left, 2300m), point 2232m and Stony Peak (2130m). It was all very grand up there. Looking down the Stony Burn valley. Distant peaks in the Southern Alps. I think it’s Mt Buck in the centre. Mt Earnslaw (2830m) Distant peaks and valleys in the Southern Alps. Point 2232m and and possibly Stone Peak right rear. Lake Wakatipu, the Dart River and Humboldt Mountains. The Dart River and Humboldt Mountains.
On the way back down…
Looking down the ridge. It felt easier going down than up, probably because of familiarity. The view from near Bonnie Jean Hut. Some of the mining relics. Cables across the valley used by miners back in the day. Walking back down the Judah Track. The Humboldt Mountains looming in the distance. The Humboldt Mountains The Buckler Burn in the valley, and Humboldt Mountains on the other side of Lake Wakatipu. The view from a State Mine site. Glenorchy backed by the Humboldt Mountains. Looking up from the start at (from left to right), Mt Alaska, Mt Larkins, point 2232m (and another peak, either Stony Peak or Major Peak (I’m not sure)).
Track Notes
The route to Heather Jock Hut is along a vehicle track at first, then old mining routes. You can go either via Jean Hut or Bonnie Jean Hut. I did a circuit for variety. Â Heather Jock Hut is the only one you can stay in – the others are preserved mining huts and worth a look inside.
From Heather Jock Hut you should back track a hundred metres or so (very rough estimate!) to another old mining track, and then climb up noting the cairns to a flat area with an old oil drum at about 1440m, where you there are excellent views over the whole area (just climb up on a nearby rocky knoll for the best spot). You could stop here and be pretty satisfied, but for peak bagging bragging rights and the best views of all you head steeply up a ridge to the summit of Mt Alaska, which is obvious in clear weather. There is somewhat loose scree and a few steep drop offs that made the ascent feel a bit adventurous, but in reality it was pretty safe, and descending felt a lot easier.
There’s a biggish car park and toilet at the start…
