Big Hut Access

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

This climbs 3300 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 sign at the junction of McKinnon Road and State Highway 87. There is vehicle access to a car park. Then a marked foot easement (crossing two stiles) to the sign-posted Rock and Pillar Conservation Area near Six Mile Creek. The route heads left and climbs steeply close to the boundary fence (a firebreak to the left of the fence is on private property). Approximately 1200 feet up, the route veers to the right and heads directly up-hill for another 1000 feet to 'The Gut' (an incised gully). A continuous line of snow poles then leads to the right, and away from a nearby fence, to reach the hut just over the lip of the summit plateau.

The route is marked the entire way either by orange metal standards or hardwood snowpoles. The snowpoles have reflectorised patches (2 patches indicate change of direction). There are three solar-powered navigation lamps on the upper section.

If unfamiliar with the route it is inadvisable to tackle it in adverse conditions. Gale force, and stronger, winds are common, especially in the upper section - is not unknown to have to crawl the last few hundred metres to the hut. It can become so hazardous that retreat is the only option, or by staying put in the hut.

This is an energetic 'grunt' at the best of times. The ski club advice to members was: "start out slow, then ease up". With moderate fitness and an easy pace the trip up is not too daunting. There is much of interest on-route including regenerating shrublands and tall tussock, alpine meadows, snow banks and babbling brooks. A couple of watering points are marked.

Only climb to the hut at night if familiar with the route and in good conditions (a great experience on a nice night). In winter the snow poles may become invisible due to icing or dense fog. Iced-up navigation lamps may be your only guide.

The route climbs 3000 feet up the eastern face on a well-graded vehicle track up a leading spur south of Lug Creek (foot, mountain bike).

9.5km north of the Middlemarch store on State Highway 87, just before Lug Creek, is a farm entrance (RAPID 7219 - no DOC sign). A short way up the driveway is a Department of Conservation car park.

There is public access up the vehicle track (built by Otago Ski Club in 1958) to the conservation area boundary. The track is now a government purpose (access) reserve administered by DOC. There is no implied or other right for this to be closed by the adjoining landowner.

From the conservation area boundary the track leads to 'Leaning Lodge', a hut owned by the Leaning Lodge Trust (Topomap Middlemarch 260 H43 820280). This is located south of and below the prominent 'Castle Rock' where the vehicle track forks below Castle Rock bear left across a shelf below the range crest until the hut can be seen.

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

Easiest route to Big Hut from Leaning Lodge (foot only - unmarked - good visibility essential) is another 45+ minutes climbing gently southwards to cross a steep gully and then climb a gentle shelf to above the eastern basins. Sidle several hundred metres beyond the lower prominent rock tors before gently descending to Big Hut once it becomes visible. This route is visible in photo: 'Wind, spin-drift... and Leaning Lodge'

Route 2 route is well defined to Leaning Lodge and provides easier walking but over a longer distance to gain the same elevation as Route 1. However it has disadvantages of needing good visibility between the huts - the route is very wind and cloud-prone. Ice axe and crampons may be necessary to traverse steep snow slopes near Leaning Lodge. Many parties don't make it to Big Hut mistakingly believing this route to be easier than Route 1.

Bike access is available by following the other fork in the vehicle track before Leaning Lodge, past Castle Rock (on the left), near the summit (1450m), then down to Big Hut (DOC signs at fence above hut). In poor visibility this is a longer but more assured foot route.

This is a rough vehicle track from the Old Dunstan Road, northwards along the crest of the range (foot, mountain bike). These are very exposed tops. The Old Dunstan Road is closed to motor vehicles 1 June to 30 September each year.

From the summit of the Dunstan Road (sign-posted) the track climbs to near McPhees Rock (on the left) then veers right to follow the crest of the range to a kilometre before the summit where there is a DOC sign indicating foot-only access to Big Hut. Vehicles must be parked at the fence - it is only a 700m walk to the hut.

As no major climbs are involved this would be a good mountain bike route except for the vehicle ruts which have become hazardous. This route is rapidly becoming unusable due to vehicle damage during wet conditions. This has wrecked this route for transporting materials and tools for hut restoration.