The climb to Castle Hill Peak is a considerably challenging half-day hike through unmarked trails, exposed ridges, steep hills and loose scree. From late spring to autumn, the trails are typically ‘bare’ scree lands and some odd patches of snow may be present. In the winter, the whole mountain ranges can be covered with snow, making it a whole new different scenery and climbing style altogether.
The photos and descriptions in this post are from my trip during late spring.
Castle Hill Peak Starting Point via Porters Pass Viewpoint Car Park Trailhead
The easiest and most direct way to summit Castle Hill Peak is to start from the car park at Porters Pass Viewpoint next to the Great Alpine Highway. Return the same way back to the car park.
Other ways include accessing through Mt Torlesse via Kowai River, following the ridge over Junction Peak, Red Peak and The Gap; or through Mt Plenty via the dry stream. However, these paths are much more challenging and hazardous, and are meant for advanced climbers only.
Porters Pass Viewpoint to Foggy Peak
12.39pm: The trailhead from Porters Pass Viewpoint car park starts with a few snow pole markers to guide you up the tussocks hill.
(+23)1.02pm: After that, there are no more pole markers but large cairns and worn trails as guidance.
(+18)1.20pm: As you ascend above the tussocks slope, it turns into a bare, scree slope. This is what you’ll face for most part of the journey: scrambling up the loose rocks trying not to slide too much, one step up leads to half step sliding down. It may sound weird, but the snow covered slope in the winter would be easier to climb, as the snow provides traction and stops the scree from sliding.
(+24)1.44pm: Looking back down the highway and Lake Lyndon.
(+1)1.45pm
(+15)2pm
(+8)2.08pm: The view of Craigieburn Range to the left (northwest).
And the view to the right (southeast).
(+1)2.09pm: Arrived at Foggy Peak (1,741m).
(+1)2.10pm: From here, follow the ridgeline that connects Foggy Peak and Castle Hill Peak.
But first, celebratory New Zealand meat pie on the first peak!
Foggy Peak to Castle Hill Peak
2.44pm: While the path from Foggy Peak to Castle Hill Peak is less steep compared to the journey to Foggy Peak, the path is narrower along the ridgeline so take care not to slip down the side of the mountain.
(+9)2.53pm: Here you could clearly see the trail running along the ridgeline.
(+4)2.57pm
(+3)3pm
(+9)3.09pm: The steep drop at the sides of the path can be intimidating but remember to keep calm and move carefully.
Castle Hill Peak (1,401m)
(+16)3.25pm: Finally, I’ve reached the summit of Castle Hill Peak.
The panoramic views around Castle Hill Peak.
A large strip of ice remained on the summit. Some advanced climbers would continue on to other peaks such as Red Peak, Junction Peak, Back Peak, Otarama Peak and Mt Torlesse. Some might even climb through the whole Torlesse Range all the way to Bold Hill and the end of Broken River.
3.40pm: Another celebratory pie before I head back down the same way.
(+41)4.21pm
(+17)4.38pm: A stack of rocks forming a big arrow pointing the way back to Foggy Peak. Be mindful not to go the wrong direction/ridgeline towards Mt Plenty.
(+10)4.48pm: Back to Foggy Peak.
(+78)6.06pm: After an agonizing journey down the steep scree slope trying not to fall, I’ve returned to the car park at Porters Pass Viewpoint. While you’re there, take a look at the viewpoint before heading off.
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