Distance: 2.2 km (4.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 536m to 1478m. Gain: 942m. Loss: 14m . Gradient: 26 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7)

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

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

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

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From Pearl Flat, under normal conditions it is faster and easier to ford the river and cross the clearing to the obvious DOC signs on the true left. If the rivers up then use the swing bridge across the West Matukituki about 15 minutes up the valley and drop down the true left side. The track enters the bush and then climbs relentlessly up to bush line. Above the bush the gradient eases off but its is still a steady climb all the way to French Ridge hut. Beyond the hut the ridge keeps on going and in late summer you can follow it all the way up to the foot of the Quarterdeck glacier at ~1900m without alpine gear.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description