Distance: 2.1 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 811m to 1016m. Gain: 70m. Loss: 215m . Gradient: 8 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Prolonged rivers (4/6)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

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

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

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

Prolonged rivers (difficulty: 4/6)
Frequent river travel - impassible after rain, risk of getting trapped

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

Just above pt1037 the up-and-over track swings east off the spur and descends in a series of zigzags back to the Oroua River, above the worst of the gorges. From here if follows the riverbed upriver for 1.5km to reach Triangle Hut. The river is gorged in places (especially just below the hut) and requires several crossings and in-river travel. The deepest crossings are normally thigh-to-waist deep in slow water, but this route can easily become impassable after rain.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Traingle Hut a riverbed route leads downstream towards Iron Gate Hut. Drop to the riverbed at the hut, and follow it through the first narrow gorge - the worst of this section. From here the river widens to broad gravel flats, though more gorged sections exist further down. This section requires many river crossings and in-river travel and pools are often thigh to waist deep in normal flows. This section becomes impassable after heavy rain.

After 1.5km, the river makes a sharp left turn, and a DOC signpost and triangles are present on the northern bank marking the start of the up and over track. It is sometimes possible to continue downriver from here, but it is deep, steep going, especially below the major confluence. The up-and-over track is the recommended route.

Heading up the northern bank at the signpost, the track starts with a brief scramble up an old slip, but soon becomes well marked and cut as it zigzags its way to the ridgeline just above pt1037. On cresting the ridge, the track turns downhill and follows it down. It is also possible to follow the ridge up from this point on an roughly marked 'up-and-out' route to Mangahuia Summit.