Distance: 4.7 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 596m to 717m. Gain: 221m. Loss: 143m . Gradient: 4 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
GPX info source: Drawn on map

From the signposted junction at the confluence of Kakaiti Strean and Taumutu Stream, a good cut marked tramping track leads across flats beside Kakaiti Stream. After a couple of hundred meters, this crosses the stream, and heads up a side gully on the northern valleyside, heading roughly NE. The gully i narrow, its base only large enough to hold the smalls stream which runs down it, and as such travel is up the stream-cum-track. This steadily climbs, gaining 100m of altitude by the time it reaches the saddle.

North of the saddle, the cut, marked tramping track sidles the true left for a while, before dropping to the stream. The story here is the same as to the south. Stream=Path. However, the route is well marked. Soon however, small flats of punga and fern appear, and sections of track cut across them, though still frequently crossing the small stream.

A kilometer or so downriver, on what is now a fairly well established tramping track on the banks, a larger stream joins from the east and the valley widens to broad flats. 300m later the river swings west, and the track leaves it, making a sharp right turn and starting a sidling climb up the eastern face of a gully to the north. The track here in an old benched track which has been recently recut, rebenched and reopened. Very good going, despite the steady climb.

Mangamate Hut site in a clearing just to the north of the saddle at the gullies head. Sheltered from the southerly, the place booms and rattles in a nor-wester. Not helped by the fact that all the windows have broken latches and are stopped from flapping in the win only by loose string.

All streams are small and should not be an issue except in exceptionally heavy rainfall.

Last updated by: Madpom at 2014-09-18 22:43:43
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