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Big Hut Access

There are three principal means of reaching Big Hut ­ by foot, mountain bike, or 4WD, and three main routes.

Route 1
This climbs 3000 feet up the eastern face from Glencreag Station up a leading ridge south of Six Mile Creek. This is the most direct approach (foot only). Tall tussock, some scrub, and alpine herbfields are traversed.

5.8km north of the Middlemarch store there is a Department of Conservation signpost beside . There is vehicle access to a car park. Then a short marked foot easement (crossing two stiles) to the sign-posted Rock and Pillar Conservation Area near Six Mile Creek. The unmarked route heads left and climbs steeply following the boundary fence. At approximately one third of the way up, this fence is joined from the left by another fence that leads directly uphill. The best route is to the right of and within sight of this fence for another 1000 feet to pick-up intermittent hardwood poles. These lead between 'The Gut' (an incised gully) and the fence. A continuous line of poles then leads to the right and away from the fence to reach the hut.

Average time 2.5 - 3 hours. This is an energetic 'grunt' at the best of times. The ski club advice to members was: "start out slow, then ease up".

If unfamiliar with the route it is inadvisable to tackle it in adverse conditions. Whiteouts and gale force winds are common, especially in the upper section.

If you loose your way it is advisable to descend and pick up the pole-line or fence.

Route 2
This climbs 3000 feet up the eastern face on a vehicle track up a leading spur from Kilmory Station, south of Lug Creek (foot or mountain bike).

9.5km north of the Middlemarch store on is the entrance to Kilmory (no public sign posting). A short way up the driveway is a Department of Conservation car park.

There is access up a vehicle track to 'Leaning Lodge', a hut owned by the Otago Tramping & Mountaineering Club (Topomap Middlemarch 260 H43 820280). This is located south of and below the prominent 'Castle Rock' ­ when the vehicle track forks below Castle Rock bear left across a shelf below the range crest until the hut can be seen.
This route is well defined and provides easier walking but over a longer distance than Route 1.

Access across a gully to the hut can be difficult if there is frozen snow.

Average time to Leaning Lodge 2.5+ hours on foot. Then another 45 minutes climbing and sidling southwards on foot across head walls and faces to reach Big Hut (good visibility essential). Bike access is available by following the other fork in the vehicle track past Castle Rock, over the summit (1450m), then down to Big Hut.

Route 3
This is a rough vehicle track from the Old Dunstan Road, northwards along the crest of the range (4WD, foot, mountain bike).

From the summit of the Dunstan Road (sign-posted) the track climbs to near McPhees Rock then veers right to follow the crest of the range to a kilometer before the summit. A sidetrack descends to Big Hut (visible from above). The track veers left on crossing the fence. Stay out of bogs (this is a conservation area).

Time 1.5 hrs of 'bump and grind' in low gear, low ratio from the Dunstan Road to Big Hut. Time much more on foot or bike.

Unfortunately the track has become badly damaged by deep ruts through inappropriate vehicle use. Consequently considerable ground clearance is required for any vehicles using this route.

PLEASE ONLY USE THIS TRACK WHEN DRY OR FROZEN.

There is a danger of getting stuck in snowdrifts. Fog can be disorientating even when driving. Only use in summer in good weather. Do not deviate from the track. There are sensitive wetlands that need protection.

As no major climbs are involved this is a good mountain bike route, however vehicle ruts are a hazard. These are very exposed tops.

Dunstan Road is closed to motor vehicles 1 June to 30 September each year.

 

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Rock and Pillar Hut Trust Inc., P O Box 127, Alexandra, New Zealand