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Hayes Creek Trail

Track Added 28 October 200728 October 2007 by TheGManTheGMan.
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From Arrowtown follow the Sawpit Gully Track (0:40) from the Bush Creek end turn left and climb Big Hill (1:00). Then decend the other side through Hayes Creek and an old mining settlement. Ending up on the Macetown Road (3:30) for the walk back to the Arrowtown (4:30).

Begins Bush Creek end of Saw Mill Track
Ends Loop via Macetown Road
Return Loop track with a road section
Grade
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Easy: Unusually smooth, well-marked track, easy gradients. Up to about 4 hours per day.
Easy-medium: Typical lowland track. Generally easy walking and well marked. Ascents of up to 1000m. Some easy river crossings, unmarked travel along rivers.
Medium: Typical tops track. Experienced trampers only. Rough, muddy and poorly marked or unmarked. Ascents of up to 2000m. River crossings, open tops, passes. Up to about 8 hours per day.
Medium-hard: Navigation and snow skills (use of ice axe and crampons) required. Glaciers, exposure to falls.
Hard: Rough or non-existent tracks. Following ridges, bush spurs, and rivers. Steep ascents, arduous travel, hazardous conditions, snow and navigation skills essential.

Easy/medium
Length 19.0 km (11.8 mi)
Time 4 hr - 5 hr (1 dqay)
Altitude 400m (1,312.3 ft) – 1,137m (3,730.3 ft)
Δ 737m (2,418ft)
Map sheets
NZMS260-F41

Notes

I started at the Bush Creek end and the first 40 mins is an uphill slog to the main trail head. The first 5 mins is quite nice....

Sawpit Gully Walkway Trail Head - Bush Creek End By TheGManTheGMan

Sawpit Gully Walkway By TheGManTheGMan

There is a sign post indicating Hayes Creek and Big Hill tracks branching off the Sawmill Track.

Big Hill & Hayes Creek Trail Head By TheGManTheGMan

The saddle is a gentle uphill of about 1hr. The Hayes Creek trail branches off to the right (go straigh and you get to Macetown). This is where the trail gets a little less worn.

If you loose the trail (as I did) Hayes Creek is the 2nd creek from your right looking down (1st one is Fox's Creek and I'm not sure if you can get out the bottom).

There is some old mining works, some derelict buildings and Shamrock Cottage which is worth a look around. The hut is locked.

Shamrock Cottage - Hayes Creek By TheGManTheGMan

The walk down Hayes Creek is pretty easy and the track is well marked down here.  You end up on the Macetown road.  It was 12.5kms from the car to Macetown Road then another 6.2kms back to the car.

Took me 4hrs 30mins - I can't imagine there would be too many people out on this trail at any time. A nice quiet walk.

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