Baton Saddle

Baton Saddle, located on Arthur Range about 10 km west southwest of Mt Arthur, offers tremendous views deep into Kahurangi National Park.

Baton Saddle can be reached from Baton Valley Road along Baton River or by climbing out of the Leslie Valley. Both approaches require a climb of nearly 1100 m to the saddle at 1360 m.

Southeastern view from Baton Saddle

Baton Track

The Baton Track follows a historic goldminers’ pack track along the Baton River to Flanagans Hut. In many places the track is rather rugged and there are some stretches where it has been washed out by the river. There are several river crossings along the way, hence this trip should only be considered when river levels are low. In parts the track sidles steeply above the river and fixed steel cables offer assistance. The track is well marked with orange markers.

After four to five hours walk from Baton Valley Road, Flanagans Hut is a welcome sight. It is located at the foot of a pretty basin from where Baton Saddle can be glimpsed for the first time. Flanagans Hut (eight bunks) was built in 1986 by the Motueka Tramping Club.

It can take up to two hours to follow the poled route from the hut to Baton Saddle. The last section below the saddle is steep and there is an abundance of tall and prickly speargrass. On a clear day the panorama from Baton Saddle is breathtaking. To the northwest the views reach as far as Kendall Ridge, Herbert Range, Garibaldi Ridge, Morgan Range, Grange Ridge, Marshall Range, Kakapo Spur, Peel Range, Lockett Range and down to the Karamea Syncline and the Leslie Valley.

Baton Saddle panorama

Wilkinson Track

The Wilkinson Track offers a route from Baton Saddle to the Leslie River where it connects with the Leslie–Karamea Track.

The Wilkinson Track is by no means for the fainthearted. Some parts are steep and rough and there are sections, especially in the lower part, where the track is quite overgrown. Patches of tall and dense ongaonga (urtica ferox), the infamous stinging tree nettle, may also be encountered. It is, perhaps, not surprising that some discerning tramper altered the signpost in Leslie Valley to read “Wilkinson Track Horror”.

Possibly related articles:

• Thousand Acre Plateau—and still counting…
• Nelson’s western vista—what are we looking at?
• Mt Owen massif—wilderness at its best
• Diamond Lake—a jewel in Kahurangi National Park
• Mt Perry—a rewarding Heaphy Track side trip