Lupton Hut
Lupton Hut is a backcountry hut in Tongariro National Park near Ruapehu, managed by Whanganui High School on behalf of the Department of Conservation. It’s an eight-bunk hut at about 1,380 m, built in 1965 (with donated wood from Mr R Lupton) and intended primarily for its student use, while the public are encouraged to use Blyth Hut, 10 minutes beyond Lupton Hut.
Approach is via a walk from the end of Ohakune Mountain Road; from the road, walk past the junction with the Blyth Track, climb up to a spur and into a big clearing, then descend toward Waitonga Falls Lookout. From the river, follow the Round the Mountain Track; after about 200 m leave it for a track that leads to Lupton and Blyth huts (the climb from the river is quite steep). Inside, there are mattresses, a fireplace, and a pit latrine; drinking water is untreated.