Mt Crichton Loop Track & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown NZ

A straightforward walk on the foothills of Mt Crichton near Queenstown. The track passes through native beech and manuka forest, and visits a historic miner’s hut.

Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown

The Mt Crichton Loop Track is an undulating track on the foothills of Mt Crichton. It passes through native beech and manuka forest, by waterfalls and bare rocky hills, and visits a historic miner’s hut. You can also take a side trip to nearby Lake Dispute. It’s all very close to Queenstown, so it makes for a good half day option if you have other things on. 

Track Notes

Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
On an obvious track the whole way. Although we walked to Moke Lake once (dashed line), I think that was overkill and you might stop at a spot overlooking Lake Dispute, or maybe go down to the lake itself, then return to the main track.

There are track notes for the Crichton Loop Track on the DOC website here, and it’s a pretty straightforward walk on a formed track. The turn off to nearby Lake Dispute is obvious, and we actually walked as far as Moke Lake, but this was overkill. I think descending to Lake Dispute and walking up or down it would be enough as a side trip.

Mt Crichton Loop Track & Lake Dispute: The Scenery

I’ve mixed in pics from a clear day in 2015, with those from a cloudy day in 2012 when we did the Lake Dispute side trip (and on to Moke Lake, which is not pictured)… and now some shots from summer 2018/19, when my sister and brother-in-law joined us.

Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
My sister, on what is essentially her first bushwalk in New Zealand, despite coming more than once a year for almost a decade. I think she’s also walked to Jacks Point, but got a lift back.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Steep forested hillsides.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Twelve Mile Creek
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
A New Zealand Pigeon, or kereru. A really magnificent bird that’s rather enormous for a pigeon.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
A New Zealand Pigeon, or kereru.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Bare hills resulting from early mining activity. The whole valley floor was lowered something like 50m in places.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
A nice waterfall near Sam Summers Hut.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
The historic Sam Summers’ Hut.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Inside Sam Summers’ Hut.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Sophia walking through beech forest. I liked the mottled bark.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
There were a few of these spider webs around.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Mt Crichton, the namesake of the track. You can climb this on an unmarked route in a long day walk.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Manuka bushes beside the track.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Manuka flowers. Where all that expensive honey comes from.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
The bushes looked burnt, but I think this was natural.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Lake dispute from not far off the main track. You have to stand up on some rocks besides the track to get this unobstructed view.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Looking out towards Lake Wakatipu, Cecil and Walter Peaks.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Returning from Moke Lake. Lake Dispute ahead. You ascend back up to the Mt Crichton Loop Track on the right.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
This unusual tree is a juvenile that transforms into a rather more conventional tree in maturity. I vaguely remember that this form is an evolved defence against being eaten by New Zealand’s now extinct Moa.
Mt Crichton Loop & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown
Lupins are beautiful weeds.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *