Getting there

About 110 km from Christchurch on State Highway 73 towards Arthur’s Pass, is a signposted side-road to the Craigieburn Picnic Area on the Broken River ski field road. Access to Craigieburn Valley is another 1 km further along the highway. Both ski field roads have locked gates further up valley during the summer.

Description

Camp Saddle

This is a mountain tramp and people should be prepared for extremes of weather. Take a topographical map and compass.

Access to Camp Saddle can be from various directions, but crossing from Broken River to Craigieburn Valley skifield road is the easiest route.

Apart from magnificent views, this tussock and scree saddle offers many interesting botanical specimens. Growing among the rocks are tiny plants that have adapted to the harsh environment – including celmisia, gentians and edelweiss.
From the Craigieburn Valley skifield carpark continue along the four wheel drive road to the bottom of the ski tows. From there cross a small stream and follow the Craigieburn Valley track through beech forest until it emerges onto a scree and scrub slope. Here you can see Camp Saddle clearly. Scramble up through the tussock and soft scree to the Saddle. This is also an easy descent route.