Distance: 4.3 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 362m to 456m. Gain: 24m. Loss: 118m . Gradient: 2 deg (Gentle)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

From Deer Spur creek, continue down the shingle flats of Timaru River, crossing as required, for 1.5km before picking up the start of a poled route on the southern bank where flats end. The route sidles low to the river, crossing multiple times - often in steep fast sections that can be impassable after rain. If the river is up, then use the alternative high water 4wd track which can be intersected sidling 200m above the river on the northern valleyside.

1-2hrs

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the carpark at Peter Muir Bridge, a cut / marked track heads up the south bank of Timaru River. The track sidles low to the river for 3km, crossing many times - often in steep fast sections that can be impassable after rain. If the river is up, then use the alternative high water 4wd track which can be intersected sidling 200m above the river on the northern valleyside.

After 3-4km the poled route ends at broad shingle flats which can be followed for a further 1.5km to the forks with Deer Spur Creek. Junction Hut lies 200m north up Deer Spur Creek on the eastern bank.

1-2hrs