Page Type: | Route |
---|---|
Lat/Lon: | 42.968°S / 171.54330°E |
Route Type: | Hiking, Mountaineering, Scrambling |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Time Required: | Half a day |
Difficulty: | Scramble |
Rock Difficulty: | Class 3 |
The Bealey Track is a popular hike up into the alpine zone above Arthur's Pass in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The official trail goes about half way up to Mount Bealey and then follows a cairned way to the summit. This route can also be used to climb Little Bealey (Point 1805) and one could use this to continue on north and make a loop hike bagging Lyell Peak and Avalanche Peak (thus connecting up with two other popular trails; Scott's Track and Avalanche Peak Track).
The route is a steep Class 2 hike through the lower forest with perhaps the occasional Class 3 move. Above treeline, you hike through open grassland and finally up into the rocks. Once past Point 1760, the "hike" becomes a series of high steps on a dirt path with a few Class 3 moves in and out of rocks. The summit is a broad mound with a cairned marker.
Views are amazing in this area on clear days. The Southern Alps are on the west side, Mount Rolleston and it's Crow Glacier to the north and the Polar Range with its pointy precipices on the east. There was a New Zealand falcon protecting the area when I climbed here who dive-bombed me a few times so beware of nesting birds of prey. This species is very rare but has been known to scrape scalps with its talons. Keas also frequent the area.
View to summit from Point 1760
You'll have to dip down about 40 meters or so into the saddle ont he connecting ridge and then follow the path up that hugs the edge of the cliff to the north. The route is evident but you will have to use hands in spots. Mind the mud if wet.
View of Point 1760 from the summit and the ridge heading down the Bealey Track
Total distance is about 3 kilometers with over 1100 meters elevation gain. (Or by my estimation, a little under 2 miles with over 3700 feet of gain. NOT your railroad grade, eh?)
To descend you can either head back this same route or if you are making a loop up to Avalanche Peak, head down the Northwest Ridge to Lyell Peak (Class 3-4).