Distance: 5.9 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 82m to 335m. Gain: 316m. Loss: 569m . Gradient: 9 deg (Gentle)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

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

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

From the carpark and signposted track start on Double Hill Road, the Carey's Creek track descends steeply to the old water scheme dam the west. The track is broad, well cut and marked.

Below the dam the track is rougher - a standard tramping track. Initially sidling the valleyside, it soon drops to the valley floor where crossings become frequent. The creek is small and only should pose problems after extreme rain. Crossing become less frequent as you descend. A signpost marks the junction with the Honeysuckle Track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A good cut, marked tramping track continues up Carey's Creek from the Honeysuckle Track turnoff. Crossings become more and more frequent, with a couple of short sections in the riverbed itself, until the track finally gives up on the valley floor and climbs to sidle low on the northern valleyside. It becomes clear as you progress that the track is actually the platform for an old water pipeline, and so its not a surprise to arrive at a large concrete dam. The track cuts sharply back, climbing downvalley just before the dam, but you can continue up to the old dam wall for a look. An old hut here is structurally intact, but bare and damp with mud floor and fireplace - light peeking through holes in the iron walls.

Returning to 20m downriver: the track climbs east and down-valley then steeply through mature manuka bush to the plateau above. The double Hill roadnend and carpark is 500m from the dam.