Richmond Saddle Hut
Richmond Saddle Hut is a Department of Conservation standard 8-bunk backcountry hut in Mount Richmond Forest Park (Marlborough region). It sits in the saddle west of Mt Richmond (1760 m), east of Grass Knob (1495 m), and at the head of Armchair Stream; the hut was built in 1968. Use is first come, first served—standard bookings aren’t required, but you must buy a Standard Hut Ticket for each night and place it in the honesty box at the hut; a Backcountry Hut Pass is also accepted for unlimited use at most standard and serviced huts over a 12-month period. The fee is $10 per night for adults (18+), $5 per night for youth (5–17), and free for children/infants 0–4. If forestry operations are active, they can close roads into Mount Richmond Forest Park, so plan around possible road closures and check the latest road updates before you travel.
The hut is equipped with mattresses and a fireplace, and it has drinking water that is untreated and pit latrine toilets. Access routes commonly start via Jacksons Creek Road; a 4WD vehicle is recommended for Jackson Creek Road. From Jacksons Creek Road the marked track follows the prominent ridge. There’s also a linked hut-to-hut route from Mt Fell Hut: a 10-minute walk up towards the ridge, then follow the poled route along the ridge, sidle under Johnstons Peak, and go through Devils Armchair to Mt Richmond; the descent from Mt Richmond to Richmond Saddle Hut is about 560 m. From the hut to the Mt Richmond summit is about 1 hour (1.8 km) with that 560 m climb.