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DOC Land
Altitude: 440m to 1511m. Gain: 458m. Loss: 1071m . Gradient: 23 deg (Steep)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) - Streams (2/6)
Above the morraine band which crosses the upper Hunts Creek, climb the lichen-coated scree fan climbs to a large rocky basin high on the western valleyside. A good gut of scree and grass ascends from the rear, south-west corner of the basin, leading directly to the pass into Dry Creek.
Dry Creek descends from the pass - a steep V of scree. The ground is stable – a careful plod, rather than exhillerating run. Grassy terraces appear for a while, ease travel; end abruptly - forcing you back into the V of the gully. A tussock basin appears where the two head-creeks join. Beyond: the steep, narrow V resumes, dropping to the Taipo over a kilometer below.
Descending initially between tussock faces, the gut soon enters the scrub layer – travel confined to the riverbed. Gradient is steep and unchanging. Clambering down the boulder-bed of the river: rocks football-size, table-sized, loose. Though not dry, the creek is small, occupying only a small part of the gut - there’s plenty of room to pick your way carefully down the dry rocks. Beware: rocks are loose and large sections have a habit of shifting when you put weight on them - take care.The careful descent takes longer than you would expect.
A DOC triangle 20m from the Taipo marks the Taipo Valley track.