Distance: 5.2 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 362m to 765m. Gain: 570m. Loss: 423m . 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

From Jubilee Hut, descend the track 60m to the signposted junction, and then follow the cut / marked tramping track upriver on the western valleyside. the track crosses the creek a few times but the stream is small and unlikely to pose too many problems. Reaching the main forks in the head of the valley, the track climbs steeply up the central spur, south to Silver Peak. The 400m ascent is called the Devil's Staircase - but whilst moderately steep is a good worn track on gravel and rock, and OK going.

Climbing at last over Silver Peak the tramping track joins an old 4WD track, following the ridgeline south to Pulpit Rock. Turn off at the DOC signpost and again follow a cut/marked tramping track SE along the ridgeline, descending to Green Hill, which it sidles on the western side. A signposted track junction just south of Green Hill marks the turnoff to Possum Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A good cut, marked tramping rack follows the ridgeline west, skirting Green Hill and climbing to Pulpit Rock. Here it is joined by an old 4WD track, following the ridgeline north to Silverpeak. Leave the 4WD track at the signpost, and climb the tramping track over Silverpeak and 200m down the ridgeline beyond, before descending the spur north into the head forks of Christmas Creek. This 400m descent (the Devil's Staircase) is moderately steep, but generally on good gravel / rock so is OK going. Once in the valley, cross the creek and follow the poled track down the river to the next forks. There are a few crossings, but the creek is small. Just before the next forks, a signpost points left marking the side-track climbing west to Jubilee Hut. 60m above the valley floor on the western face, the new hut is in a warm, sunny spot.