January 12, 2026
Porters Ck Hut to Red Hills Hut
TA km marker 1960.4 to 1971.7
Hiked today: 11.3 km

The expected rain came at around 10 pm and progressed to heavy rainfall through much of the night. Strong winds joined in the chorus, and i wondered how the 2 hikers that were in a tent were faring. I had gone out to them when the rain started and suggested they might prefer the hut but by then they were set up and confident that the tent would hold. With sore muscles it was hard to get comfortable and so was some hours before I finally fell asleep.

The dawn heralded a fine cool day and we set off for the last hut in this Richmond Ranges section – a 5 hour hike by DOC estimates. We were aware that there was a chance the river would be flowing too strongly for us to pass, given the heavy rainfall overnight so Stuart agreed to tackle the crossings together for safety. As it turned out, none of the crossings were a problem and we all managed to safely cross.

As always, the trail took us up over mountain passes and around the mountainsides, finally bringing us to Red Hills Hut. The last few kms of track was through marshlands and was sodden and muddy. I slipped twice – once on a slippery root and the 2nd time on a rock, and managed to coat my trouser leg in mud. Trousers, socks and shoes were sodden, brown and smelly on arrival at the hut and I was glad to sponge myself over and rinse our socks. The sun and strong wind will have them dry and stiff in no time.

We were met at the  hut by Stu and Max, a northbound hiker from Wisconsin. What greeted us IN the hut was trail magic in the form of Back Country milkshake sachets as well as cans of Coke. They had been left there by a trail angel this morning.

Here is where we will spend the night before completing this section into St Arnaud tomorrow morning.

I have to add a note more. Since writing, a number of other hikers  have come in. I spent a lovely hour chatting with Sara who is also from Hobart. She hiked the last day and a half with a badly bruised sprained ankle.

Then, when the campsite was full, 3 TA volunteers turned up on bicycles with pizzas, drinks, cherries and home baked bikkies. They also had a safety message and took feedback from us regarding the state of the trail. A great finish to the Richmond Range section.