Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Just beyond the flats the track uses a long swing bridge to cross to the true right (south)
side of the Route Burn and heads back into the bush where it skirts the grassy flats. It's an
easy 30-minute stroll along a level track through the bush to a signposted junction, where
the right fork leads to Routeburn Flats Hut (20 bunks), five minutes away. The hut over-
looks the river, the wide grassy flats, and the mountains to the north. Two hundred metres on
is Routeburn Flats Campsite.
The main track (left fork) begins a steady ascent towards Routeburn Falls Hut. The track
climbs 270m over 3km (about 1½ hours) before reaching the hut above the bushline. Emily
Creek footbridge is the halfway point of this climb, and just beyond it the track sidles a
steep rock face called
Phoenix Bluff
. The track soon crosses a huge slip, where a massive
1994 flood sent trees crashing towards the flats below. The resultant forest clearing affords
magnificent views of the valley and surrounding peaks.
From the slip you resume the steady but rocky climb to
Routeburn Falls Hut
(48 bunks),
the scene of many comings and goings. The hut is right at the tree line (1005m) and its long
veranda offers views of the flats and the surrounding
Humboldt Mountains
. Right behind
the hut is a private lodge for guided trampers. There is no camping around this hut and war-
dens are strict about enforcing this rule.
Day 2: Routeburn Falls Hut to Lake Mackenzie
4-6 HOURS, 11.3KM, 215M ASCENT, 355M DESCENT
From the hut it's a short climb to the impressive
Routeburn Falls
, which tumble down a
series of rock ledges. Once on top of the falls the track cuts across an alpine basin towards
the outlet of Lake Harris. The walk is fairly level at first - it crosses a couple of bridges and
then begins a steady climb. You pass beneath a pair of leaning boulders, ascend more
sharply and then arrive at
Lake Harris
. Sore legs and aching muscles are quickly forgotten
as the stunning view of the lake materialises, especially on a clear day, when the water re-
flects everything around it. Carved by a glacier, Lake Harris is 800m long and 500m wide.
In winter it freezes over and chunks of ice are often seen floating on the lake when the
Routeburn Track opens for the season in October.
The track works its way around the lake along bluffs and moraines. You get a second jolt
1½ to two hours from the hut, when entering the grassy meadows of
Harris Saddle
. From
this 1255m vantage point, part of the Hollyford Valley comes into view, almost to Martins
Bay if the weather is clear. If you are blessed with such weather, drop your packs and climb
the steep side track to
Conical Hill
(one hour return). The 360-degree view from the 1515m
