Distance: 4.2 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Unmaintained track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 523m to 916m. Gain: 277m. Loss: 427m . Gradient: 10 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Unmaintained track (5/9)
Former track, overgrown - markers / ground trail still followable

Primary, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is 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

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

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

The track north along the ridge from Cattle Creek was, sadly, not maintained (2014). Not one route marker was seen beyond the Cattle Creek junction, and in many places the track is unclear. Though there is a reasonable ground trail along the ridgeline, the track disappears completely as it drops to the forks - with luck you may come upon the ruins of the hut at Birch Whare. Descend to the forks by whatever route suits, and then follow the northern fork upstream (the Mangatewainui). After 1km upstream, a DOC signpost indicates a track on the true left to Makaretu and Leon Kirvig Huts. Thus starts 1.5km, 400 vertical meter climb to the ridgeline where a signposted track junction with the well marked & cut Apiti Track awaits.

Rivers are low (ankle deep) in normal flows but will be impassable after heavy rain.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted track junction, gfollow the marked track south down into the Mangatewainui. The track stops at the creek, which must be followed a further 1km downstream to the forks. From the forks, climb the spur to the south of both forks, angling west as it climbs towards pt951. There is no cut track on this spur (you are on private land) but the remains of the old NZFS track become more obvious as you climb. Follow the ridgeline as it swings south-west over the low pt951.

pt951 is the turn-off for those headed for Duck Pond Hut and the Apiti Stream to Ngamoko Hut.

Rivers are low (ankle deep) in normal flows but will be impassable after heavy rain.