Distance: 6.8 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Road - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1037m to 1606m. Gain: 47m. Loss: 616m . Gradient: 6 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Road (1/9)
Formed road, 4WD track, etc

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

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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

Avalanche risk unknown

The turnoff down Long Spur is not signposted, but the 4WD track is clearly visible on the ground. Follow the rough 4WD track NE down the spur for 3km. Look for a fork in the track with one track continuing down the spur and another dropping north into the valley. Take the northern track which sidles the face down into the valley, before zigzagging down to the main forks below Short Spur. Crossing the creek the track reaches a small iron hut and a set of yards, where it ends.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Hawkdon Hilton, follow the track south over the small creek and climb it onto Long Spur. The track joins another running along the spur and climbs gently to the summit of the Hawkdon Range where it meets the main 4WD road.