Lewis Pass National Reserve: A walk to the Sluice Box

A natural curiosity...the Sluice Box

On the way home from Nelson Lakes NP in late November I stopped at the Marble Hill Campsite to go visit the famous Sluice Box. It is accessed from the western end of the campsite along the Lake Daniell Track. I wanted to take some film clips of the river for a vlog I was working on...

The Sluice Box is accessed from Marble Hill Campsite

You access the Marble Hill campsite at the start of the track from SH 7 (Lewis Pass Highway). The turn off is 5 km past the Maruia Springs complex and five km's from Springs Junction. There is a great campsite here with spots for a variety of users, toilets, water supply and fire pits. The car-park for the Lake Daniel Track is right at the end of the campsite road. 

Turn off for Marble Hill on SH 7

The Sluice Box is a natural gap between Marble Hill and the ridge from Pt.771 at the end of the Alfred River. Here the Maruia River constricts down to a narrow 15 meter channel which has cut a deep gorge between the hills. 

Sluice Box is between two hills in the near distance

There is a footbridge across this narrow gap which is also called the Sluice Box even though that is actually the name of the narrow gorge. If someone talks to you about it they mean both the river and the bridge.

The Sluice Box and associated footbridge

The Sluice Box is the gateway to the Lake Daniell Track which heads north west towards a lovely lake and a couple of river valleys in Peel Stream and the Alfred River. 

Strolling to the Sluice Box:

It was a good day to be tramping...blue skies with no wind and a warm breeze blowing. It was one of those glorious late spring days you sometimes get in between the stormy weather.  

Maruia River Valley looking to Lewis Pass

Map: Marble Hill and Sluice Box

I usually park my car on the campsite closest to the track start...unfortunately it was already occupied so I had to park in the main car-park at the end of the campsite road. It was busy with 11 cars so people were obviously visiting Lake Daniell, day walking and exploring the Maruia. I grabbed my gear and set out along the easy track to the Sluice Box.  

At the end of Marble Hill Campsite

You follow the excellent Lake Daniell Track through impressive mixed Podocarp & Red Beech forest from the Marble Hill car-park just west of Maruia Springs to the bridge. The walk is a true all weather tramp on a mostly flat and very easy to follow track. 

Start of the Lake Daniell Track, Lewis Pass National Reserve

The track starts and finishes at Marble Hill campsite just off SH 7 about five kilometers short of Springs Junction. There is a spacious car-park at the end of the campsite and a trampers shelter you can use for those last minute packing tasks. 

Trampers Shelter at Marble Hill Campsite

There are a couple of information panels on the inside of the shelter with information about the local area, track network, huts and flora and fauna. This area is a part of the Lewis Pass National Reserve which takes in most of the Maruia Valley, Cannibal Gorge and the area around Lake Daniell. 

Information panel in the Trampers Shelter...Marble Hill

Track/hut map and details at Marble Hill shelter

The first part of the track is a gentle stroll down to the Sluice Box...a footbridge across the Maruia River about 400 meters from the car-park. This section is through some impressively big Red Beech trees and is typical of what you will find along the rest of the track to Lake Daniell. 

Good quality track to the Sluice Box and Lake Daniell

Heading to the Sluice box along the Lake Daniell Track

A mix of Beech trees and Podocarps....Lake Daniell Track

When you get closer to the Sluice Box there is a small hill that you need to climb up. It is not difficult as it only rises about 10 meters onto an old river terrace. This is the only part of this track which is not flat...

You cross a stream before climbing...Lake Daniell Track

On the higher terrace heading for the Sluice Box

On the last 100 meters of the track to the Sluice Box

It is about 100 meters from the top of the terrace to the Maruia River and the sound of moving water grows as you get closer to the bridge. 

Moss covered logs...Lake Daniell Track

Just about at the footbridge at the Sluice Box

Heavy cover of moss and lichen...Lake Daniell Track

At one point you can see through the trees to the Maruia River around the confluence point of the Alfred River and the Maruia River. The river flats upstream of the Sluice Box are over 100 meters wide but quickly constrict to a gap of about 15 meters as it flows through the narrow gorge. 

Maruia River from near the Sluice Box

Ferns on the terrace near the Sluice Box

You make it to the Sluice Box after about 10-15 minutes of walking. Here there is a solid footbridge over the Maruia River which give access to the Alfred River and surrounds. 

First view of the Sluice Box footbridge

The bridge crosses the Maruia River at the Sluice Box

I walked right down to the footbridge at the Sluice Box to have a better look at the river...

At the sluice box...

The Sluice Box is a deeply incised gap between two small hills...Marble Hill and the ridge coming down at the end of the Alfred River Valley. It provides access for all of the smaller side valleys off the Alfred, Lake Daniell and Thompsons Flat. 

DOC sign on the Sluice Box Bridge, Marble Hill

If this bridge did not exist it would not be possible to safely visit any of these destinations. You can potentially cross the Maruia River upstream from the Alfred Confluence and then follow an old 4 W/D track up to Pell Stream. This is not be a fool proof river crossing point as the Maruia can be deep especially if any rain has been falling. 

The bridge is a fixed box girder structure...Sluice Box

Maruia River flows under the Sluice Box Bridge

The water flowing through the Sluice is deep, swift and cold looking. Even on a sunny, fine day the amount of water passing through this narrow gap is impressive. During a rain storm it is not uncommon for the river to rise almost to the bottom of the bridge. 

Upstream view of Maruia River from Sluice Box

Deep blue of Maruia downstream from Sluice Box bridge

The Maruria River is undercutting Marble Hill

Sluice Box from the true right of the river

I crossed over the footbridge and explored the far side of the river. From here you can continue for about two hours to Lake Daniell or you can walk up onto the side of the ridge on this side of the river and look out at the Maruai as it heads west towards Springs Junction 

Lake Daniell Track on the far side of Sluice Box

From the Sluice Box the river continues west towards the flats near Springs Junction before turning down the Shenandoah Valley and making its way towards the Buller River down near Murchison. 

River flats downstream from Sluice Box

View of footbridge from above the Sluice Box

I took a few photos of the opposite bank of the Maruia River around the Sluice Box. Normally I am on my way to Lake Daniell when I reach this point so have never spent much time exploring the local area. There were a couple of downed trees that would make a nice impromptu seat if you wanted to sit and contemplate for awhile. 

Jon on the true right of the Sluice Box

If you look just upriver from the Sluice Box you can see the confluence of the Maruia River and the Alfred River which runs in towards Lake Daniell. The Alfred is a moderately big river and this is where the run-off from Lake Daniell flows to the ocean. 

Maruia River Flats upstream from the Sluice Box

Maruia River Confluence with the Alfred River is just upstream

Stop and have a close look at the river if you ever come up here. It is constricted down from a 100 meter wide river bed to a deep and powerful channel about 15 meters wide and 4-5 meters deep. I know people jump into the river from the bridge but I say bugger that...it looks like it would be hellishly cold to me..

...the Maruia River constricts down to about 15 meters wide...

The river has carved a very deep channel through the rock downstream of the footbridge...it is hard to judge the depth due to the clarity of the water. It reminds me of some of the rivers you get down in ?Fiordland that look shallow but are really deep...

Icy cold water flows through the Sluice Box

I crossed back over to the true left of the Maruia to take a few photos before getting ready to head back to the carpark...

Sluice Box Footbridge from true left of Maruia

The footbridge over the Sluice Box

Farewell Sluice Box...I will see you again soon!!!

I spent about 30 minutes up around the Sluice Box taking photos and some film clips and then started back down the track to the car. 

Heading back to the Marble Hill car-park:

The return journey is back along the same track you followed to get to the Sluice Box....

Last view of the Sluice Box footbridge

It is actually easier walking back from the Sluice Box as the lay of the land is either downhill or flat travel all the way back to the edge of the car-park. It is really rather pleasant walking along under the trees as you casually meander back to the start...

On the Lake Daniell Track heading to Marble Hill

Beech forest dominates around Marble Hill

I passed a couple of people along the way...most day walkers but also a couple who told me they were going up to stay at Manson Nichols Hut for the night. The hut there is excellent and one of my favorite places to visit outside of the busy summer period. 

End of the river terrace from the Sluice Box

Descending a small hill...Lake Daniell Track

I heard a Kaka screeching on my way back to the car...there are a few living up in this area now as the numbers grow in Arthurs Pass and Nelson Lakes NP. It is great to see and hear these lovely native parrots in the forest once again...

Sun dappled forest floor...Lake Daniell Track

...even the small side streams have bridges, Lake Daniell Track...

Eventually you arrive back at the trailhead and as usual the 400 odd meters from the Sluice Box to the campsite passed without incident...

Trampers shelter at end of the Lake Daniell Track...Marble Hill

I was pleased to see that my car was intact...I wasn't expecting any problems but you never can tell. There is a bit of a vandalism at this car park at times but it is certainly safer than the car park up at Lewis Pass. 

Don't leave any valuables in sight if you park here though...they are a Scumbag magnet!!!

Back at the start of Lake Daniell Track

From here it was a direct drive back over Lewis Pass on my way back to Christchurch. It was a great end to an excellent couple of days in my favorite park Nelson Lakes. 

On SH 7 heading for Lewis Pass

If you ever happen to be passing over Lewis Pass go down and walk to the Sluice Box. It has a classic footbridge over the Maruia River and it is very photogenic. The Sluice Box is about 10 minutes walk from the Marble Hill car-park and it is flat and very easy walking...a great quick trip to stretch the legs after a couple of hours in the car.

Access: Take SH7 a.k.a: the Lewis Pass Highway, turn off at Marble Hill campsite 5 km's west of Maruia Springs/Springs Junction. The track starts next to the car park shelter & toilet.

Track Times: One kilometer return to the Sluice Box, 15 minutes each way

Miscellaneous: All weather track to a good standard with all streams now bridged. Not wheelchair suitable as gravel and hills to negotiate. Toilets at the car park next to the shelter...no potable water here.

YouTube: Visit to the Sluice Box