Anthony suggested we check out Branch Creek Hut, as neither of us had been there. We left Ruby Bay at midday and drove up the Owen Valley East Road and parked at the farm that allows access to Frying Pan Creek. There is a DOC sign there that states it is 14.6km to Branch Creek Hut and is eight hours.
Friday 17/06/2016
We left the car and headed off across the farm just on three o'clock wondering how bad the track would be, as a look at the map shows a track that should be a four to six hour walk. Worst case is we would not reach the hut until midnight, as we would be in the dark in a couple of hours; and that does get a bit slower.
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| Anthony in the car park |
The first kilometers is easy going on a farm track, then a couple of kilometers to a fork shown on the older map which drops you into Sandstone Creek.
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| Heading to the valley |
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| Easy few k's on the farm track |
All nice and easy so far, then a climb of a couple of hundred meters which then dropped us down into Fyfe River.
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| Out of the Frying Pan |
About two kilometers later we came to a small two bunk hut that is not shown on the map and is not on the hut baggers website. We stopped here to photo and investigate, discovering that it is a DOC only hut for the Whio recovery in this valley.
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| Fyfe Hut |
The hut has two bunks, no fire, water from the river and a box toilet.
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| Fyfe Hut box toilet |
Not long after leaving the Fyfe Hut we put our torches on. The track is easy to follow and well marked with OT's, the multiple river crossings kept our feet from getting too warm as we both where wearing runners. We walked past several pairs of Whio ducks, never saw them just heard them as they greeted us with there calls; probably annoyed that we woke them. The last few kilometers before the hut looked like they would be interesting to see in day light.
We arrived at Branch Creek Hut just before nine p.m.; which was a walk of six hours with three and a half of those hours in the dark.
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| About Whio recovery |
Didn't take long to get a fire going in the open fire place, followed by food and a couple of drams of whisky. Went to bed about one a.m. and outside it was frosty and cold.
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| Open Fire |
Saturday 18/06/2016
A bit of a cold morning with a late start, soon warmed up as we wandered back down the river getting wet feet not long after leaving the hut.
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| Branch Creek Hut |
Took a few photos on the way out, however the narrowness of the valley never gave us great views of the cliffs.
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| Waterfall not long after leaving hut |
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| View of the cliffs |
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| Mostly a little river valley |
Interesting berry's on the way out.
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| Raspberry looking |
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| Vines on the tree |
Saw a pair of Whio who did not see to mind us watching them, even recorded a bit of their calls.
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| Whio pair |
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| More cliffs |
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| Fyfe Hut on the way out |
From Fyfe Hut it is a nice easy stroll back to the car with just a few crossings.
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| Valley South of Fyfe Hut |
Map of Area
View Larger Topographic Map
Trip Times
Friday 17/06/2016
1455 Left the car at the Frying Pan Creek farm access area
1720 Fyfe Hut
1732 Left Fyfe Hut
2053 Branch Creek Hut
Saturday 18/06/2016
0935 Left Branch Creek Hut
1243 Fyfe Hut for lunch
1311 Left Fyfe Hut
1534 Back at the car
No bibles....
