Distance: 6.2 km (5.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 255m to 1350m. Gain: 94m. Loss: 1189m . Gradient: 12 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

The track crosses an old slip just below the hut before joining the ridge, which it descends at a moderate grade, over pt. 1248. Below this point, the track steepens, easing again before pt. 976. Beyond pt. 831, the track zig-zag's steeply down to the major forks. Once on the true left side of the forks, the track continues gently down to the site of the former Pine Valley Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the site of the former Pine Valley Hut, continue upstream on the true left. At the major set of forks, a steep unrelenting track, climbs from the 300m contour, all the way up to pt. 831. Beyond this point, the gradient eases but continues to climb; firstly to pt. 976, then 1248. Just beyond the 1300m contour the bush edge is reached & the track leaves the ridge & sidles across an old slip face to the hut.