Distance: 3.4 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 403m to 659m. Gain: 305m. Loss: 52m . 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 signposted junction, a tramping track climbs briefly NE onto the flat tops above. From there, old bulldozed track runs NNE along the ridge to the former hut site through regenerating scrub and gorse. The ground is clay and it becomes a skating session after rain.

A signpost at the former hut side marks a turnoff east to Smiths Stream Shelter - the Dobson Loop track. A chimney is all that remains of the former Dobson Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

An old bulldozed track runs SSW down Dobson Ridge from the former hut site through regenerating scrub and gorse. The ground is clay and it becomes a skating session after rain.

After 3km the tramping track cuts off the old roadbed and drops the face to intersect the Puffer Saddle track at a marked junction.