Last Updated: 22nd Apr 2024
Remarkables and Wye Creek
Submitted by Kevin Dibley
Last Updated: 22nd Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 40 ?
Gnarl Factor: 91 ?
16.8km
590m
1650m
1975m
Last Updated: 22nd Apr 2024
Submitted by Kevin Dibley
Last Updated: 22nd Apr 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 40 ?
Gnarl Factor: 91 ?
16.8km
590m
1650m
1975m
Back country - remote
Point to Point (one way)
Mountainous
Native bush
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +13.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -15.0%
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5:00
Slow
4:00
Moderate
2:30
Fast
There are two ways into the Wye Valley:
1. From the car park head up the Lake Alta track to Lake Alta and here pick uptake poled route to the saddle that is just under Pt2050.
2. Head for the saddle to the east (left as you look at it) by tracing the route on the map that goes with this guide.
Once over either saddle, you need to get a direct sight of the lower lakes and slowly aim toward them. You will be going over snow grass and schist boulder slopes - it's steep in places and carefully route choice is important.
After the lakes there isa 300m bluff that you need to pick your way down and then you just need to keep the river to your right as you head down into the Valley.
In the lower half of the run, follow the cairns (man made stone piles) that lead you on the right paths. Some are hard to see but keep an eye out.
When you get to the trees at the gorge, look out for the orange DOC triangle and cross the river. You'll see a trail and it will lead to the DOC sign for Carpark.
Snow and schist, big waterfalls, a few lakes, running beside a river all the way down.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Plenty of parking at the Base building. One way trip though so best to get dropped off, and picked up at bottom of run (or leave a car at end of run)
24 km
37 minutes
No
No
Hard.
Fairly safe in that you are following the valley down. Careful on picking the bluff descent spots.
Non-existent.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Lightweight fleece top, Short-sleeved thermal top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Compass, Map
Throughout run. When needed, take it from the river.
Snow and winter will be a problem and dangerous. Also with high winds and rain, it can funnel through the valley.
Streams run under the boggy patches and your footing can break through so be careful running through that.
When going down the bluffs, make sure your running partner isn't directly below you as loose rocks (large enough) can be deadly.
Jacks Point Clubhouse
Jacks Point, Queenstown
http://www.jackspoint.com/restaurant/
Soak your legs in Lake Tewa and enjoy a beer or two. Awesome staff
Gibbston Tavern
Gibbston Valley, Queenstown
http://www.gibbstontavern.co.nz
Pick a shady tree on the grass, and enjoy a beer and pizza.
Sherwood Pub
Queenstown
http://sherwoodqueenstown.nz/
Good beer, laid back and enjoy the food and young crowd
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Remarkables and Wye Creek
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Absolute stunner of a route, the highlight for me being the tarns. Would love to head back and spend a night camping up there. We went in late summer from Wye up to Remarks and got picked up by a friend doing the GT.
September 23, 2023
JE
Fun wee adventure. Did this in reverse from direction shown (went Wye Creek to Lake Alta), then cruised down Remarks access road (+14 km, all downhill ~10% grade) with great views the entire way--wheeeeee!). Definitely a route, not a track. Lots o' tussock in the middle of valley. Scrambling up the waterfall near head of valley was slightly sketchy--hadn't rained in for ~48 hours previous, but everything was wet and a bit slick. Wanted to love the views, but didn't fall in love fairly barren & rocky terrain, though the giant toothy peaks looming overhead are spectacular. Did love the more remote feel of this one
January 4, 2022
A group of us snuck this trip in for Easter 2019, just before winter really set in! We broke it up by staying in the rock bivvy partway. Excellent trip, fun trail, although some MASSIVE tussocks to run around! Definitely needed all our warm layers for heading up above Lake Alta, although it warmed up again as we made our way down past the wee lakes and tarns :)
January 7, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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