Aspiring Hut

Liverpool Track is best suited to experienced hikers who are comfortable with high, exposed and technical tracks. You can expect: • A steep, long climb from the valley floor to Liverpool Hut. At times you will be climbing up rocks and tree roots, pulling yourself up with your hands. • Steep and slippery terrain where a fall could cause serious injury. • Fast-changing alpine weather. If this doesn’t sound right for you, Aspiring Hut is an easier overnight trip in Mount Aspiring National Park. It has options for side trips further up the valley or to see the Rob Roy Glacier.

Raspberry Creek car park to Aspiring Hut

Time: 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min

km The track starts at Raspberry Creek car park. Follow the West Matukituki Track up the valley to Aspiring Hut. The track is mainly through grassy farm flats, with a couple of small bluffs which give good views of the valley.

Aspiring Hut to Pearl Flat

Time: 1 hr 30 min

km The track enters the bush near Aspiring Hut. After 10 minutes a bridge crosses Cascade Creek, and a 1 km bush section emerges onto an open terrace leading to Shovel Flat. The track has eroded at the head of Shovel Flat. Proceed with caution and allow extra time. Follow the orange poles towards the bush, instead of following the riverbank. After 400 m, you will reach Pearl Flat. At Pearl Flat, turn off West Matukituki Track onto Liverpool Track, signposted to Liverpool Hut. Challenging avalanche terrain between Rough Creek (just beyond Aspiring Hut) and the intersection with the Liverpool Track can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer. Move quickly through this area and be vigilant. Avalanche debris may reach the valley floor at Shovel Flat, so do not camp there. The track has steep, rock slab terrain to navigate. Image: DOC

Raspberry Creek car park to Aspiring Hut

Time: 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min

km Follow the West Matukituki Track to Aspiring Hut.

Aspiring Hut to Cascade Saddle

Time: 4–5 hr

km Camping: Camping on the Cascade Saddle Route is only allowed near Cascade Creek where there is a toilet – this is to limit the impact on this fragile alpine area. The track is signposted from Aspiring Hut and climbs steadily up through mixed beech forest. There is a stream crossing near the top of the bush – this is unbridged, so assess it carefully and make sure it is safe to cross. It floods and becomes impassable in heavy rain. Above the bushline the track becomes a route and is marked with orange poles. Use the bush as a decision-point – look at the weather and check in on the time and how you are feeling. There is another 6-9 hours to Dart Hut through exposed terrain. If the weather is deteriorating or you aren’t sure of your ability to complete the tramp, this is the right time to turn around. The route follows a steep snow grass and tussock ridge with some rocky outcrops and ledges to negotiate. From the bushline, the route is narrow, steep and very exposed - you will need your hands to climb. There are steep drops and the rocks can be slippery, so proceed carefully. If the route is attempted in reverse (from the Dart) the pylon and orange-poled route must be located before descending into the Matukituki Valley. This section of the route is much more difficult to go down than go up. If snow is present, do not proceed without an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them - slipping can mean falling several hundred metres off the cliffs. The route reaches the pylon at the top of the ridge (1835 m) via a steep and narrow gully that holds snow for much of the year. The final section of the climb is the most dangerous and there is no room for error. It is difficult even in good conditions and especially hazardous if there is snow or strong winds. At the top of the climb, enjoy the view and use this spot as another decision-point to assess the weather. It is still 6 hours to Dart Hut, so if conditions are poor it may be safer to turn back. After the pylon follow the poles down to Cascade Creek. Assess the creek and make sure it is safe to cross – rain or snowmelt can flood it. The route then follows to the easy slopes and flats leading to Cascade Saddle (1524 m). There's a camping site with a toilet near Cascade Creek where there’s a toilet. It's the only suitable camping site along the route. There are often kea at this camping site – kea can chew tents and steal gear.

Raspberry Creek car park to Aspiring Hut

Time: 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min

Distance 9 km A great first overnight tramp for families with younger children, the walk to Aspiring Hut is mainly over grassed farm flats with a couple of easily negotiated small bluffs that give great views up and down the valley. The locked historic Cascade Hut managed by the New Zealand Alpine Club can be seen from the last bluff. Aspiring Hut is twenty minutes beyond this.

Aspiring Hut to Pearl Flat

Time: 1 hr 30 min

km The track has eroded at the head of Shovel Flat. Proceed with caution and allow extra time. Follow the orange poles towards the bush, instead of following the riverbank. After 400 m, you will reach Pearl Flat. At Pearl Flat, the West Matukituki Track connects with French Ridge Track and Liverpool Track . Warning: Challenging avalanche terrain between Rough Creek (just beyond Aspiring Hut) and the intersection with the Liverpool Track can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer. Avalanche debris may reach the valley floor at Shovel Flat, do not camp there.

French Ridge Track is best suited to experienced hikers who are comfortable with steep, high and technical tracks. You can expect: If this doesn't sound right for you, Aspiring Hut is an easier overnight trip in Mount Aspiring National Park, with options for side trips further up the valley or to see the Rob Roy Glacier.

Raspberry Creek car park to Aspiring Hut

Time: 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min

km The track starts at Raspberry Creek car park. Follow the West Matukituki Track up the valley to Aspiring Hut. The track is mainly through grassy farm flats, with a couple of short climbs which give good views over the valley.

Aspiring Hut to Pearl Flat

Time: 1 hr 30 min

km The track enters the bush near Aspiring Hut. After 10 minutes a bridge crosses Cascade Creek, and a 1 km bush section emerges onto an open terrace leading to Shovel Flat. The track has eroded at the head of Shovel Flat. Proceed with caution and allow extra time. Follow the orange poles towards the bush, instead of following the riverbank. After 400 m, you will reach Pearl Flat. At Pearl Flat, the West Matukituki Track connects with French Ridge Track and Liverpool Track . Challenging avalanche terrain between Rough Creek (just beyond Aspiring Hut) and the intersection with the Liverpool Track can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer. Move quickly through this area and be vigilant. Avalanche debris may reach the valley floor at Shovel Flat, so do not camp there. Example of the rock slabs to navigate on the track Image: DOC