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.
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
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.
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. Steep forested hillsides. Twelve Mile Creek A New Zealand Pigeon, or kereru. A really magnificent bird that’s rather enormous for a pigeon. A New Zealand Pigeon, or kereru. Bare hills resulting from early mining activity. The whole valley floor was lowered something like 50m in places. A nice waterfall near Sam Summers Hut. The historic Sam Summers’ Hut. Inside Sam Summers’ Hut. Sophia walking through beech forest. I liked the mottled bark. There were a few of these spider webs around. Mt Crichton, the namesake of the track. You can climb this on an unmarked route in a long day walk. Manuka bushes beside the track. Manuka flowers. Where all that expensive honey comes from. The bushes looked burnt, but I think this was natural. 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. Looking out towards Lake Wakatipu, Cecil and Walter Peaks. Returning from Moke Lake. Lake Dispute ahead. You ascend back up to the Mt Crichton Loop Track on the right. 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. Lupins are beautiful weeds.
