The Rees and Dart Tracks form a tramping (hiking) 63 kilometres (39 mi) circuit which is located in the South Island of New Zealand. The trailheads are far apart requiring transport planning in order to tramp or run the track. The track allows access to the Cascade Saddle Track[3][4] in which one can see the Dart Glacier and allows access to the Matukituki Valley.
Rees and Dart Tracks | |
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Length | 63 km (39 mi)[1] |
Location | Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand |
Trailheads | Chinamans Bluff, Muddy Creek carpark |
Use | Tramping, trail running |
Highest point | 1,471 m (4,826 ft), Rees Saddle |
Lowest point | Chinamans Bluff carpark, 400[2] m (1,300 ft) |
Difficulty | medium |
Season | Spring to Autumn (open all year) |
Months | late October to mid April |
Sights | Alpine views, lakes, forests, tussocklands, rivers |
Hazards | Hypothermia, high winds, rocks, roots, snow, rain, avalanche |
Surface | dirt, rock, roots |
Website | www |
Access to the Dart Track is via the Chinamans Bluff carpark and which is near the Dart River while access to the Rees Track is via the Muddy Creek carpark near the Rees River.
History
editIn 2014 a large slip blocked the Dart River and caused a large lake to form. Many sections of the track were destroyed or underwater.[5] In 2017 after three years a new section of the Dart Track was opened that was higher up than the original.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Rees-Dart Track". DOC. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Chinamans carpark shelter". tramping.net.nz/. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Rees Dart Track, Mt Aspiring National Park". tramping.net.nz. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Fuchs, Don (4 July 2016). "Rees-Dart Track, NZ". Australian Geographic. Archived from the original on 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Baker, Che. "New lake blocks Dart River track". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Walker, Meghan (March 2017). "Dart Track reopens after three-year closure". Wilderness Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
External links
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