February 6, 2026
Fern Burn Hut to Highland Ck Hut
TA km marker 2666.2 to 2672.3
Hiked today: 6.1 km

There was no need to make an early start this morning with only a 6 km, 3 hour walk to get to Highland Hut. It was nice to lie in bed, listening to the pattering of raindrops on the hut roof. Nevertheless, we were back on trail before 8, stumbling along the narrow track, badly overgrown with bracken that obscured the path below, and threatened to push us off the hillsides.

After a km or so, we left that behind and made a steep ascent to a stunning ridgeline with views up the valley to snow capped peaks ahead. Fortunately, there was only a slight breeze as the path along the ridge was narrow, with a steep drop off either side.

After descending the first ridge, we crossed a creek with another patch of bracken, and made our way up the next hillside with another short ridge at the top. The weather had cleared as we walked and we arrived at Highland Creek Hut with blue skies and warm sun to dry our clothes and shoes. Just as we walked the final approach, Rob twisted his foot – a misplaced step due to the overgrown vegetation. He was able to keep walking, but we wonder what it will be like tomorrow.

It took us about 3 hours. The estimated time by the DOC hut posters is 3-4 hours, so we were not as slow as we thought. Of course, we were the first to arrive and had our choice of bunks. After lunch the hikers coming north from Roses Hut trickled in but they mostly decided to continue on to Fern Burn Hut. We have plenty of time to take this section at a leisurely pace and the trail from here to Roses Hut, although only 11km, is estimated to take 7-8 hours. We will be able to tackle it feeling fresh tomorrow morning.