Time: Northern access: 9 hr, Southern access 7 hr, Distance: Courthouse Flat to Granity Pass Hut - 8.3 km
Northern
Courthouse Flat to Granity Pass Hut, 6 hr - 8.3 km (tramping track)
There are two options for the first section of this track. Both are well signposted and take a similar amount of time.
The first option is to walk up the ridge between Granity and Blue Creeks. This is a very open track that can be hot on a summer's day. Ensure you carry plenty of water.
Mt Owen
The second option is to walk up Blue Creek Track taking you past old gold mining relics and workings. The track follows Blue Creek for approximately 20 minutes then heads up through beech forest and joins the other track.
Where these tracks join there is a climb to a clearing offering views to the north and west. Cross the clearing and head down through the forest to a saddle. The next section, called 'The Staircase' descends steeply before sidling around marble bluffs and down into blue Creek. From here it is not long to Granity Pass Hut, follow the usually dry marble creek bed to the hut on the true left bank of the stream.
Granity Pass Hut to Mt Owen, 7hr return (unmarked route)
From Granity Pass Hut follow the route through a large area of tussock grassland. There are no track markers or snow poles from this point onwards. Keep to the east of Sentinel Hill, and then walk through a saddle past several small tarns. From the other side of this saddle, a series of rock cairns lead uphill to the summit.
This route will be difficult and dangerous to follow in snow, misty or bad weather. A map is essential for navigation. Return to Granity Pass Hut the way you came.
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Southern
This is the most difficult approach to Mt Owen, challenging and requiring a high level of fitness and experience.
Owen Valley East Road to Mt Owen Summit - Sunrise Peak route, 7 hr (route)
The track crosses farmland for approximately 2 km before entering the forest. The river is crossed several times before the track climbs steeply up Sunrise Ridge to the bushline.
Please note, once you leave the Owen River there is no water supply, remember to carry your own.
Above the bushline, scramble up through the thick tussock and steep scree fields to the ridge below Sunrise Peak. Continue northwards towards Mt Owen. Good visibility is essential for route finding. There are no markers or rock cairns above the bushline.
Bushline to Mt Owen summit is 3 hours.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Murchison |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |