Distance: 3.9 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Marked route - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 183m to 461m. Gain: 343m. Loss: 65m . Gradient: 6 deg (Moderate)
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

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

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

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

From the Mikonui / Dickson forks, follow the Mikonui upriver on the southern bank for about 800m until the start of a marked track along the southern valleyside is reached 200m after the bush closes in to the riverbank. The track is shorter than indicated on maps (2020) and ends at the next creek entering from the north. it is necessary to cross the Mikonui here - knee deep in normal flows but a tricky spot with poor runout if the river is in flood.

Follow the northern bank of the Mikonui upriver to where the river swings SE - crossing as required. 200m prior to the bend the creek splits, take the northern branch (draining the saddle) and follow it to the foot of the spur dividing the Mikonui from Explorer Creek.

A marked track heads briefly east up the Mikonui following the base of the northern face before commencing its climb up the spur between the Mikonui & Explorer. After about 80 vertical meters the track swings north and sidles to the saddle where Explorer Hut is situated.

1.5-2.5 hrs

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description