The Bealey Spur climb Arthur's Pass in the Southern Alps

A nice day walk at present, in the dying days of summer, is to climb the Bealey Spur track to the small ancient hut at the top. Brave souls can carry on and ridge walk for hours along the tops. 

The result of the exertions is a majestic panorama of the Southern Alps, at present dry and in drought conditions. It looks better covered in snow.

 

Click to see the whole pic

1/2 way up the hill,

View towards the small settlement of Authurs pass. note the railroad bridge over the river.

Suprisingly you have to go over a big swamp area in the middle of a drought 1'2 way up a mountain!

Still surface water here even though the rivers are nearly dry

This is a range of pics from the hard left of view to the far right

second pic

third pic

fourth pic

fifth pic

The Bealey Spur hut, made in 1903, and quite comfy.

Down the bottom again in the depleted river valley

A nice view :-)

Ahh the clarity!

Green Dot marks place. Click map for full South Island