Distance: 1.7 km (0.8 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 637m to 771m. Gain: 144m. Loss: 97m . Gradient: 8 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

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

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

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

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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

From The Lakes carpark, signposts point down a (locked) forestry track which drops slowly north towards the Tutaekuri River. As far as the river, the logging road runs through mature pines and is easy walking. Good camp spots exist beside the river.

The river is unbridged, but ok in most conditions, though it could be impassible after extreme rain. In that case, a bridged alternative route runs via Mackintosh hut to the next roadend east from the Lakes.

Beyond the river, a platformed track replaces the road. The track zigzags up the next ridge through regenerating scrub and manuka to reach the summit after 500m of steady climb. . At the summit, a signpost marks the junction where you can turn left to climb The Rogue to the Kaweka tops.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

South from The Rogue junction, the broad, cut track drops steadily in a series of zigzags through regenerating scrub and manuka to reach the Tutaekuri River. Good camp spots exist on the far side of the river.

The river is unbridged, but ok in most conditions, though it could be impassible after extreme rain. In that case, a bridged alternative route runs via Mackintosh hut to the next roadend east from the Lakes.

Slightly upstream of the crossing, a clear bulldozed track climbs the southern valleyside, soon entering pine forest above. It's about 1km of gentle-moderate climb up the roadbed to reach The Lakes carpark and roadend.