Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Day 2: Middy Creek Hut to Browning Hut
7-8 HOURS, 16KM
About 150m west of Middy Creek Hut, a swing bridge crosses the Pelorus River to its true
left side. From here you climb sharply to a junction with a track that continues up the spur to
Rocks Hut. The Pelorus Track heads southwest (left fork), working its way to a saddle
above Rocks Creek and then dropping steeply to the creek some distance upstream from the
Pelorus River.
After crossing the creek the tramp becomes more difficult, starting with 4km of thick
forest - a mixture of beech, rimu, tree ferns and horopito - with protruding tree roots ready
to trip you up.
Eventually the track descends to
Roebuck Creek
and a pair of swing bridges. The first
one crosses the creek; the second extends over the Pelorus River, 200m upriver. Roebuck
Hut (six bunks), three to four hours from Middy Creek Hut, is on an open terrace directly
across from the junction of the creek and the Pelorus, which at normal water levels can be
forded here.
Return to the swing bridge over the Pelorus River, where on the true left side the track
immediately climbs the ridge that separates Roebuck and Mates Creeks. It's a steep
30-minute climb for the first 150m of ascent, and then the track begins to climb at a more
gradual rate to
Totara Saddle
(690m). Before reaching the saddle the track works its way
across the slopes of the Roebuck catchment, and has good views of Mt Fell and Mt Rich-
mond.
At the saddle there is a junction with a track heading northwards to Rocks Hut (four
hours). The main track (left fork) heads west, dropping 180m in 1km. It traverses an open
slip and goes through beech forest on the way to Browning Hut (eight bunks), situated in a
large open area on the edge of Browning Stream.
ALTERNATIVE END: THE BROOK VIA DUN MOUNTAIN TRACK
7-8 HOURS, 21KM, 800M ASCENT, 880M DESCENT
This is a long day that begins immediately with its longest climb. An early-morning start is
wise and, as water is scarce along this section, carry plenty with you and refill at Rocks Hut.
At the track junction, 20 minutes out from Middy Creek Hut, take the right fork and con-
tinue climbing. For the next 4km it's a steady 600m trudge uphill with a couple of major
descents into the bargain. It's basically a three-hour climb with no views. From here you re-
sume climbing, quickly passing moss-covered rock pinnacles, and within 30 minutes arrive
