Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Hackett - Rocks
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 74
Gnarl Factor: 36
44.7km
2100m
2100m
1015m
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Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Grunt Factor: 74
Gnarl Factor: 36
44.7km
2100m
2100m
1015m
Login as a VIP to see driving directions, distance and time.
Back country - remote
Combo
Very hilly
Native bush
Riverside
Open ridges/tops
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.6%
Average Downhill Gradient: -10.9%
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Not suitable
Slow
9:30
Moderate
7:00
Fast
Starting at the Hackett car park it is pretty easy going up to Browning Hut, with just a moderate climb for the last couple of km's. After Browning Hut there is a gnarly 1km up hill & you then turn right & cross over the ridge to head towards Roebuck Hut. A few km's after Roebuck Hut you meet the intersection & turn left & uphill towards Rocks Hut (or right to Middy Hut). From here you have a 4km rooty climb which DOC estimate at 2.5 hours...enjoy! When you reach the small stream you are very near to the hut. Rocks Hut is on the TA trail, so quite a busy hut that sleeps 16.
From Rocks Hut follow the signs to Browning Hut. This takes you along the ridge-line of the Richmond Range & after an hour or so you come out to the clear open ridges with views back towards Brightwater & Wakefield. You then drop down a steep 1km drop to Browning Hut as you retrace your steps back to the Hackett picnic car park.
Ample parking at the car park but as it is quite remote cars do get broken in to regularly so park here with caution.
29 km
38 minutes
Unknown
No
Moderate.
Around 4km into the run turn left to head towards Browning Hut (not straight ahead to Hackett Hut)
Approx. 1km after Browning Hut take a right turn over the ridge to head towards Roebuck Hut.
Before reaching Middy Hut turn left & head up hill to Rocks Hut.
Non-existent.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.
Water is available the entire way excl. the final 4km up hill to Rocks Hut.
There is no water between Rocks & Browning Hut, but is plentiful after that.
The track is pretty good year round. If there has been a lot of rainfall it will make river crossings difficult.
The first km or so after leaving Rocks Hut is generally quite muddy, but after that the track is in good condition year round.
If there is heavy rain it will make the river crossings after Browning Hut difficult/dangerous
Wasps are plentiful in summer
Rocks Hut Cup of Soup
Rocks Hut
Nothing better then a cup of Chicken Soup after a long day at the office
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Hackett - Rocks
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I consider myself at intermediate level and it took me 9.30 hours as described. Several fallen trees, many river crossings, take it into account in case of rain. In my opinion the worst part is between Totara Saddle and the Rucks/Middy Creek Hut turnoff. Very rooty and not really runnable (in places barely walkable).
November 17, 2019
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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