Distance: 0.8 km (0.3 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1688m to 1721m. Gain: 33m. Loss: 13m . Gradient: 3 deg (Flat)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

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

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

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

From the Back Ridge Hut turnoff, the main Kaweka Range route continues south across broad, featureless, stony tops to the Kaweka J highpoint. The route is sparsely poled & markers could be hard to find in poor visibility. The Makahu Spur track junction is signposted & reached 100m before the summit. By the summit of Kaweka J stands a large cairn & there is a memorial plaque to Heretaunga Tramping Club members who lost their lives during WWII. A nearby stamped metal signpost marks the start of the route west down to Sterns Saddle & on to Back Ridge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Kaweka J highpoint, the main range route runs north across broad, stony tops for 1km to the North Ridge/ Back Ridge Hut turnoff. The route is sparsely poled & easy to lose in poor visibility. The track junction is marked by a signpost.