Distance: 0.6 km (0.3 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1284m to 1367m. Gain: 83m. Loss: 16m . Gradient: 9 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) 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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

Severe ice/snow conditions may require ice-axe / crampons owing to the exposure to falls to the east.

From behind Sunrise Hut, a marked track runs north up the spur, soon emerging onto rocky tops. A poled route continues the brief climb to Armstroung Saddle, passing some spectacular slips to the east. The saddle is the junction with the Ruahine main range route (not signposted) and has a small tarn for water.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A well travelled, poled route drops SSE from Armstrong Saddle towards Sunrise Hut, passing atop some spectacular sheer slips. It reaches the bushedge 100m before sunrise in a saddle, and then climbs slightly to reach the palatial Sunrise Hut, which is hidden from view on the eastern side of the spur.