Distance: 9.0 km (5.0 DOC hours) - Marked route - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 695m to 1235m. Gain: 221m. Loss: 578m . Gradient: 5 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

Primary, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

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

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

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

No description

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Mangatainoka Hut, a roughly cut track follows the river upstream for 1.5km to the 2nd confluence, where the cut track and markers stop. From here follow the riverbed / river flats upriver a futher 5km to the confluence shown on the map. Track markers at the northernmost point in the river bend should be ignored - the lead north into private land. The riverbed and banks are clear of debris, and easy going though wet feet are guaranteed.

The start of the route over to the HArkness is marked by numwerous triangles and white markers, and an old pair of boots, all on a tree between the two forks. The track is rough at first, but is well marked and becomes increasingly clear as it climbs. Major windfall and sections of scrub have been cut.

The track finally drops into a side creek of the harkness and enters tussock / scrub from where occasional poles mark the track. Crossing the sidecreek and climbing a low spur, a junction with the route to Mangapapa is reached (signposted). The Harkness is crossed 50m beyond this (the route to Otore Clearing/Biv and on to Oamaru is not makred or signposted but heads up the western bank of the Harkness).