Distance: 2.7 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 893m to 1045m. Gain: 288m. Loss: 283m . Gradient: 12 deg (Gentle)
Skills:

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

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

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

South of pt970 the track follows the range south then east round the head of a catchment before swinging north towards Blue Hut. 400m before the hut, the track starts to drop west off the ridge. A signposted track junction is just off the crest of the ridge, with a track turning off left to Blue Range Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Above the Blue Range Hut tunoff, the track gradient becomes gentle as it turns SW and swings round the head of a river basin. Heading north it descends gently down a broad bush ridgeline. Shortly before reaching pt970 the track swings sharply easy off the range towards Cow Creek Hut. A siognpost 'Waingawa River' marks the point.

A route also continues north from here over pt970 to Cow Saddle.