1 hr 45 min from Christchurch | 10 min from Arthur’s Pass

The track to Anti Crow Hut is called O’Malley’s Track, which begins on the corner immediately next to the one-way SH73 bridge (Bealey Bridge) across the Waimakariri River. There is a small parking area down a short gravel road on the left.

When the river is running low, you can also start on the opposite side of the river, at Klondyke Corner. Cross Bealey Bridge and take the first lefthand turn onto a gravel road with the DOC sign indicating ‘Waimakariri Valley’. Follow this gravel road to the end, where the riverbed is immediately accessible. This is not a marked route, but the wide, flat river bed is easy to traverse. Note that this option requires the Waimakariri River to be forded numerous times, and the ever-changing riverbed means the number of river braids you’ll need to cross also changes frequently.

O’Malley’s Track heads through beech and kanuka on the true right edge of the valley for about two kilometres, then drops onto a grassy meadow on the valley floor; an area known as Turkey Flat. The upper Waimakariri is a characteristic glacial valley, with steep valley sides and flat valley floor, nearly two kilometres wide in places. The track makes a subtle climb across Turkey Flat, an alluvial fan formed by Jordan Stream, which flows from a valley on the southern side of the valley. The track, marked by poles (which in some places are not entirely obvious), crosses the ephemeral channels of the stream, which most of the time are dry as the stream flows underground through the deep gravel of the fan. After rain, this section may be difficult to cross, or impassable. Jordan Stream was named due it being the last river to cross before the western end of the sheep grazing country of the Waimakariri Valley (prior to the valley floor becoming part of the national park).

On the western side of the fan, the forest edge meets the riverbed. Continue to the right, along the riverbed, unless the river is running high, in which case look for the DOC triangle indicating the high water route, which climbs through the forest above the river. Anti Crow Hut is located on the bush edge, a few metres above the river bed. The six-bunk standard hut was constructed in the 1960s. The riverbed outside the hut provides spectacular views northward up the Crow Valley to Mt Rolleston (2275 m). Head further out onto the riverbed for amazing views of Mt Harper (2222 m) and the Main Divide in behind.

The hut’s namesake, the Anti Crow River, got its name from being on the near direct-opposite side of the Waimakariri Valley to the Crow River. The Anti Crow River converges with the Waimakariri River a short distance up-valley of the hut.

Beyond Anti-Crow Hut

Two separate routes continue from Anti Crow Hut; Crow Valley Route and Carrington Route.

Crow Valley Route follows Crow Valley, which heads north on the direct opposite side the valley. Accessing this route requires the Waimakariri River to be forded, which cannot be done in high flows. Crow Hut is located near the head of the valley, approx. 2.5 hours from Anti Crow Hut.

Carrington Route continues up the Waimakariri Valley, which swings to the northwest two kilometres west of Anti Crow River. The route requires crossings of the Waimakariri River and side streams, all of which will be impassable if running high. Carrington Hut is approx. 3 hours (8 km) from Anti Crow Hut.

The absence of bridges means river crossings pose a serious danger. Never attempt to cross a river if it is running high, or if you lack the experience to do so safely.

See the Mountain Safety Council website for useful information on preparing for the outdoors.