Mount Aspiring National Park is a wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. It is a walker's paradise and a must for trampers looking for something a bit special. The (sometimes) iceberg-studded Crucible Lake lies in the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park, as a side-trip on the Gillespie Pass Circuit.
It can be accessed during a 3-4 day hike surrounded by some of the most beautiful and most dramatic scenery in the country. The hike is 58 kilometres long and takes between 3 to 4 days to complete. It links the Young, Siberia and Wilkin valleys via Gillespie Pass (at 1,490 metres) and can be walked in either direction.
Getting There
Beginning in the Siberia Valley, the Crucible Lake Track departs from the Gillespie Pass Circuit about an hour above the Siberia Hut. The walk starts by crossing open meadows, with great views up to Mount Dreadful at the head of Siberia Valley. Fords of Gillespie Stream and Siberia Stream are necessary when crossing the valley, and care should be taken in high water.
The trail to Crucible Lake ascends steeply out of Siberia Valley on the true left of Crucible Stream. This section of the trail is very steep and forested, and may require use of hands to ascend some of the near-vertical tangles of roots on the track. Eventually, this steep section relents and the track contours into the Crucible Valley. After a short descent the trail crosses the Crucible Stream, aided by impressively positioned rocks that will help to keep your feet dry.
Above the crossing the trail passes the bush line and heads gently up the valley toward the moraine wall that hides Crucible Lake. Mount Alba looms above and provides an impressive backdrop to the valley. The final push up the face of the moraine is steep, but rewarded by increasingly impressive views down the valley. Not until the very crest does Crucible Lake become visible, and it is a truly impressive finale to the walk.
Early in summer, the lake earns its name as glacial ice from above drops in to form melting icebergs. The rock basin in which the lake is set is strewn with waterfalls that cascade down from high above. It's a worthwhile place to linger and enjoy before turning around and heading back the way you came.
Additional information taken from https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7001650/crucible-lake
Logging a find
1) The published coordinates will bring you within the vicinity of an orange tipped track marker. This is the first marker that you come across once you have reached the crest of the lake.
What is the elevation of this track marker?
2) Depending on the time of the year that you visit, you may or may not see a number of icebergs in the lake.
Are there any icebergs in the lake at the time of your visit? If so, how many can you see? (An estimate is fine).
[optional] Include a photo in your log showing the lake, any icebergs and general surroundings.
You can log your find as soon as you've sent your answers.
FTF: mach401
Team Siberia at the lake, April 2019
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.