Distance: 3.4 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1155m to 1448m. Gain: 142m. Loss: 346m . Gradient: 8 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

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

Occasional scrambles (difficulty: 3/7)
Tramp with some scrambles and exposure to falls

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

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

From the signposted track junction on Junction Knob, a poled route continues north along the Main Range, climbing Mt Crawford, and then dropping to pt1345 before swinging east. A steady descent along a narrow exposed ridgeline follows with one brief scramble. This entire section is very exposed to westerly winds and can become impassable when the wind is string.

The track drops briefly and steeply to a defined saddle between pt1276 and Nichols, where a signpost marks the turnoff to Nichols Hut 100m to the south.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the junction above Nichols Hut, the poled route continues west, climbing and falling through scrub, rock and tussock over pt 1276, pt1240 and pt1345, where it swings gently to the south, still climbing to Mt Crawford (1452m). This entire section is very exposed to the weather and can be a very unpleasent place to be. Strong winds can make this section impassable.

1km south of Crawford is Junction Knob (1375m), where a signpost indicates the descent to Waitewaewae Hut.