Rees and Dart Tracks

The Rees and Dart Tracks form a tramping (hiking) 63 kilometres (39 mi) circuit which is located in the South Island of New Zealand. The trailheads are far apart requiring transport planning in order to tramp or run the track. The track allows access to the Cascade Saddle Track^[3][4] in which one can see the Dart Glacier and allows access to the Matukituki Valley.

Rees and Dart Tracks
Rees Track
Length	63 km (39 mi)[1]
Location	Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Trailheads	Chinamans Bluff, Muddy Creek carpark
Use	Tramping, trail running
Highest point	1,471 m (4,826 ft), Rees Saddle
Lowest point	Chinamans Bluff carpark, 400[2] m (1,300 ft)
Difficulty	medium
Season	Spring to Autumn (open all year)
Months	late October to mid April
Sights	Alpine views, lakes, forests, tussocklands, rivers
Hazards	Hypothermia, high winds, rocks, roots, snow, rain, avalanche
Surface	dirt, rock, roots
Website	www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/mount-aspiring-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/rees-dart-track

Access to the Dart Track is via the Chinamans Bluff carpark and which is near the Dart River while access to the Rees Track is via the Muddy Creek carpark near the Rees River.

Rees River track

Kea on the Dart Track

History

In 2014 a large slip blocked the Dart River and caused a large lake to form. Many sections of the track were destroyed or underwater.^[5] In 2017 after three years a new section of the Dart Track was opened that was higher up than the original.^[6]