Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
view a large tarn, and from there the tramp to the peak is easier. On a clear day the views
from the top are excellent - you can see the northern half of Rakiura all the way to Mason
Bay, as well as the South Island.
Day 4: Christmas Village Hut to Yankee River Hut
5-6 HOURS, 12KM
It's a steep climb from the hut to the junction with the Mt Anglem/Hananui Track (left fork).
The main track heads north as it works its way through a rimu forest, and remains dry for
5km until it descends to a swing bridge and onto
Lucky Beach
. There is little sand and a lot
of sandflies, so you won't be enticed to linger.
Follow the beach briefly and then pick up the track again at the western end, where it
climbs steeply through dense ferns and bush. For 4km (two hours) you cover undulating ter-
rain, then begin a long descent to the sluggish
Yankee River
. It's only a few more minutes
to Yankee River Hut (16 bunks), a good place for wildlife spotting. If you're lucky you may
see kiwi and penguins, and seals often take a dip at the mouth of the river.
Day 5: Yankee River Hut to Long Harry Hut
4-5 HOURS, 8.5KM
Backtrack to the main trail, which crosses a bridge over the Yankee River and rises steadily
for 200m over the ridge of
Black Rock Point
. It then descends to
Smoky Beach
, reached
two hours from the hut. The climb is a knee-bender and the track is often muddy, but the
beach and the interesting sand dunes are ample compensation.
The track continues along the beach for 2km to its western end, before heading inland to
cross
Smoky Creek
on a swing bridge. If the tide isn't too high and the creek isn't in flood,
you can skip the bridge and simply ford the stream.
On leaving the creek, the track ascends high above the beach and begins a tough stretch.
You actually see Long Harry Hut 30 minutes before you reach it, because the track then des-
cends into and climbs out of a deep gully. Less than 3km from Smoky Beach you reach the
new
Long Harry Hut
(12 bunks), high above the ocean.
Day 6: Long Harry Hut to East Ruggedy Hut
6 HOURS, 9.5KM
