Sam Summers Track is a time-honoured favourite among Queenstowners although the Department of Conservation recommends trampers do not explore the whole 12 Mile Loop Track in the present conditions.
Sam Summers Track starts at the 12 Mile Creek car park, about 10km west of Queenstown on the Glenorchy-Queenstown road.
Doc visitor centre supervisor Andrew Evans said the journey to the hut and back offered a great variety of terrain within a relatively short distance and at low-altitude.
"You traverse through native beech and manuka forest beside 12 Mile Creek, which was a source of gold from the mid-1860s to about 1925. There are still small amounts of alluvial gold in the creek.
"It's one of the four areas around Queenstown where recreational fossickers can pan for gold without a Crown Minerals permit. The other three areas are the Five Mile Creek, Arrow River and Lower Shotover River, at a point lying about 2.5km from Frankton.
"Sam Summers is a fairly level track and after 3km you reach the historic hut on a terrace. The track ascends steeply and carries on to a viewpoint high above the tree line.
"The 12 Mile Loop Track has fantastic views of Lake Dispute and Lake Wakatipu, then the track descends steeply back to the car park."
Mr Evans said trampers of average fitness should allow about two hours for the return walk from the Sam Summers hut.
Good tramping boots, lunch and water were recommended and a public toilet was located near the hut.
Cellphone coverage was variable, he warned.
He recommended people return to enjoy the 12 Mile Loop Track, otherwise known as Mt Crichton Loop Track, once conditions improved.
