Distance: 2.3 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 935m to 1329m. Gain: 18m. Loss: 404m . Gradient: 11 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

Follow the old 4WD track back south from Heather Jock Hut for some 300m to a signposted track junction, from where the Jean Hut track descends zigzagging to the valley floor below. Jean Hut is reached just before the river, and whilst weathertight is historic and available for day use only. Crossing the creek at a ford (ankle deep in normal flows) the track rejoins the Bonnie Jean track on the opposite face.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

An old 4WD track sidles down to Bonnie Jean Creek, and then starts a zigzagging climb of the face opposite. The first switchback takes you to the historic Jean Hut - available for day use only but intact and weathertight. Countless more switchbacks follow as the now faint track / poled route climbs 400m up the face. At 1300m the Bonnie Jean track joins from the right, and a final switchback takes you the last 300m to Heather Jock Hut.