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DOC Land
Altitude: 453m to 1033m. Gain: 638m. Loss: 742m . Gradient: 6 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)
This is one possible high-water route from Lincoln to Oreti Huts via public land. Other visitor follow the riverbed all the way, crossing where necessary.
From Lincoln hut, head SW through beech forest - initially thick but soon opening out to easy going. Cross the small creek near pt544 and continue SW until you exit onto marshy tussock flats beside the Oreti River. Keeping east of the fenceline on public land, cross the flats to the base of the obvious spur climbing south to Lincoln Hill. 10m of scrub bashing is required to leave the flats and access the lower slopes.
An simple, steady climb through short, sparse vegetation leads to the summit of Lincoln Hill. Tussock is thick and high on the eastern side of the hill but travel from Lincoln summit SSW is ok on the escarpment over the Oreti valley. Follow the spur SW dropping back to the Oreti, picking up an old far track as you near the forks south of Lincoln Hill.
Follow the 4wd track as it climbs onto terraces west of pt609 and then heads south, alternating between terraces and the river flats. The track disappears just north of Windy Hill, but it is possible to push along the scrubby riverbank and access the open beech forest just north of Windy Hill. The 4wd track reappears, climbing to pass east of Windy Hill before dropping back to follow the rear of flats to reach the next small sidecreek which houses Oreti Hut. The hut is 500m up the valley tucked out of sight in beech forest, but the route from the 4wd track to the hut is poled.
4.5-8 hrs