Mistake Creek Track
Alerts
Avalanche NZ
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NIWA weather risks
NIWA's Parks Weather site lists daily weather risks for the forecast point below.
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Forecast point: Harris Saddle (1255m) · 19.8km away
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
This difficult tramping track leads from the Milford Road and up the Mistake Creek Valley through beech forest to the river flats.
Elevation
Cover mapped summer 2023/24.
Description
This is a difficult tramping track.
From the 'Earl Mountain Tracks' sign, the track leads to a walk wire over the Eglinton River about 10 minutes from the carpark.
After the walk wire follow the track sign pointing hard right to Mistake Creek.
After about 1.5 hours along the true left, cross the river to the true right and continue to the open flat at the bush edge.
For experienced trampers, this track can be combined as an overnight trip with the Hut Creek Track.
Getting there
This track begins from the Milford Road, Fiordland, about 71 km north from Te Anau.
There is a small carpark area on the western side of the road, with a DOC track sign saying ‘Earl Mountain Tracks’.
Know before you go
This is a tramping track so you will need good fitness and moderate to high level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills.
River crossing skills are also required. Note that in heavy rain these rivers can run very fast and high and require extreme caution - do not attempt crossing until the water levels drop.
There may be avalanche danger
Check the avalanche terrain in this area.
Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Fiordland National Park. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.
Check the avalanche danger before you go on the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:
- Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
- Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
- Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.
Weather
Forecast at the start of the track