Distance: 6.4 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 659m to 1029m. Gain: 480m. Loss: 212m . Gradient: 6 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

From the remains of Dobson Hut, the Southern Crossing track heads north across the last of the logged flats on a clayey track. Entering mature bush the track sidles the eastern face of Marchant Ridge, climbing slowly to the tops. Once there it enters a section of burnt bush with views down the Hutt Valley.

From Marchant north the ridge is narrow and the track is forced to climb and fall with the ridgeline. Tree roots are prolific underfoot, and the ground between them pools and becomes muddy. It's not a bad track, but it does do go a bit!

A signpost at pt953 marks the top of the Block XVI track dropping to the Tauherenikau.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Block XVI turnoff, Marchant Ridge narrows and the track is forced to climb and fall more with the ridgeline. Tree roots become more prolific underfoot, and the ground between them pools and becomes muddy. It's not a bad track, but it does do go a bit!

Finally, crossing the highpoint at Marchant, you are rewarded with a burnt-section of tops which feature views down the Hutt Valley. Soon after the track drops off the eastern face and sidles down to broad low tabletops below - all in regenerating scrub following logging. Once out of the mature bush the ground turns to slippery clay.

A signposted track junction follows a slight rise, and the remains of an old fireplace - all that's left of Dobson Hut. A track cuss east here, dropping to Smith Stream Shelter and the Tauherenikau.