Distance: 2.3 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate-hard terrain
Altitude: 152m to 193m. Gain: 54m. Loss: 32m . Gradient: 2 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) - Streams (2/6)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

Primary, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Tall, walkable scrub / large rocks, occasional waterfalls or gorges in rivers

Occasional scrambles (difficulty: 3/7)
Tramp with some scrambles and exposure to falls

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the former swingbridge site at the lower end of the Stillwater Gorge, continue up river on the true left (south) bank. As the valley gorges out the key seems to be to sidle 20-30m above the river on steep forested faces without ending up above bluffs that run just above that height. About half way through the gorge a large rock shelf exists on the true left beside the river and it is safe to descend from the face onto this. Crossing a small gut just upstream of the shelf at the height of the bushedge, it is then possible to sidle just above the river, just in the trees until the gorge ends and the valley opens to broad swamp and pepperleaf-scrub flats.

River crossing points upstream of the gorge are numerous with frequent good gravel bars - so the ideal option seems to be to head upriver alternating banks to take advantage of the most open bits of travel - generally on the true right - crossing to the true left again at the base of the Twin Falls. If river levels are high, it is possible to remain on the true left and fight the scrub all the way.

Stillwater Gorge traverse - 1-2 hrs

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description