This is a shorter version of one of my favourite walks, to the summit of Mt Crichton (1870m), near Queenstown. Although less picturesque than the longer route (from the Mt Crichton Loop Track), this way is quite direct and offers some variety if you’ve already done that other route. The views from the summit and also the peak at 1845m are spectacular, and include Lake Isobel and Lake Wakatipu.
Track notes at the end.
Mt Crichton from Avalanche Creek: The Scenery
Here are shots from my previous visit. Firstly shots from 1845m…
And now some shots from the summit at 1870m (…the very first is the final climb to the summit – there’s a scramble to get that far, so this is the harder peak to visit).
And back to the tarn shelf…
Track Notes
On this occasion we only visited 1845m, but you can visit the summit at 1870m as I did on my previous visit. From the car park on the road to Glenorchy (see my Google map below), head up and take a right onto the vehicle track. After you cross the second obvious creek, turn left onto a vehicle track and then head straight up to a tarn shelf. The track soon disappears so you need to navigate, and as per my photo below you’ll want to keep a little left rather than end up on the ridge like we did.
From the tarn shelf you can head left to 1845m, or straight up to the crumbly arete ridge, heading right along the ridge and dropping down to walk up an easy slope to 1870m.
You might like to look at my notes for the route up from the Mt Crichton Loop Track as well. Both routes are a hard slog and require navigation.
Here’s the car park location…
Hi Edward, awesome photos!
How many houres did You need for this hike? Is it long day hike?
Hi Elizabeth. Thanks 👍😀 I thought this would be shorter than starting on the Crichton Loop Track, and it was, but not that much. I think allocate a medium to long day. It might depend on whether you choose a good route and how long you spend taking photos!
Let’s say 8-9 hours, though I honestly forget.