Sidle around on loose rock and tussock, climbing gradually towards Harman Pass (1321m). Deep snow drifts cover this area in winter. From the pass, descend on loose rocky ground negotiating a route into the head of Mary Creek. Cross the creek to its true-left. A meandering trail can be found on the terrace above the creek. Keep generally high above the creek, crossing several scree fields and sidestreams. A descent can be made to the creekbed once easier ground is reached. Continue boulder-hopping down the creek following marker posts.
A formed track is found on the true left at the bushline. Follow this for a kilometre, crossing a swingbridge to flats surrounding the Julia Huts. The entire crossing will take upward of 5 hours.
Note : From Harman Pass a route exists to Whitehorn Pass, by sidling on slopes above Ariels Tarns, then
permanent ice & snow to the pass. A descent into Cronin Stream may be quite dangerous in heavy winter conditions. The route descends through bluffs on the true-left. Follow the stream for some way before crossing to the true right. A marked bypass trail is met just prior to the stream flowing through a narrow gorge. This trail leads to Park Morpeth Hut near the junction with the Wilberforce River. Eight to ten hours are required for this route from Carrington Hut.
CROW RIVER via AVALANCHE PEAK
Take either the Avalanche Peak Track (behind the Helicopter Pad) or Scott's Track (leaves Highway 73 opposite Devil's Punchbowl Creek). The Avalanche Peak Track climbs steeply to the bushline, whereas Scott's Track provides a somewhat less steep route. Both tracks meet prominent ridges at the bushline.
Follow the snow-pole track marking to the summit of Avalanche Peak. In winter do not attempt to cross the snow basins above Avalanche Creek or Rough Creek as risk of avalanche is very high. Time to the peak in summer is about 3hrs.
From Avalanche Peak descend to the saddle between Avalanche Peak and the lower peak to the west which continues the Avalanche Peak summit ridge, dropping off the ridge to the north where necessary (scree gully). Sidle the ridge leading towards the Low Peak of Mt Rolleston. A point is reached where this ridge begins to rise noticeably steeper (the third saddle) towards Mt Rolleston. Here a long, open scree descends to the Crow River. The correct descent scree is visibly continuous to the Crow River! As a further check the full drop of Devil's Punchbowl Falls is visible from the correct position on the ridge (stakes may also mark the saddle). In winter this route is prone to "slide" avalanche.
On reaching the Crow River, Crow Hut is a 20 minute rock-hop downstream situated on a grassy rise on the true right embankment.
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