Distance: 2.2 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 744m to 1053m. Gain: 2m. Loss: 311m . Gradient: 8 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (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 (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

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

A well defined but steep, bouldery track descends from Goat Pass Hut into the upper Deception. Once in the valley floor the track becomes fainter, crossing the creek frequently as it takes you down through scrub to the first forks. Crossings are hoppable in low flows, but would be hard / dangerous after heavy rain,

Below the forks the track continues to alternate banks dropping through podocarp bush to reach Upper Deception Hut on the eastern bank 2.5km below Goat Pass.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Upper Deception Hut, follow the track upriver. Frequent crossings are required. The river is smaller here and in low flows you should keep dry feet, but after rain it could be dangerous.

The track becomes more defined and ascends the dry (when I visited) creek draining Goat Pass. The ascent is steep and bouldery but stable.

Goat Pass Hut is at the top of the ascent overlooking the Deception Valley.