Distance: 2.6 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1316m to 1454m. Gain: 195m. Loss: 101m . Gradient: 6 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

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

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

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

The track climbs west from Sterns Saddle following the ridgeline through manuka and beech. At the first peak (Maminga) it sidles the open northern face on claypan and gravel as it climbs to the summit, but beyond returns to the bush / ridgeline for the remainder of the trip. The turnoff to Rocks Ahead is signposted. At this junction a signposted poled track also drops 150m SE to where BAck Ridge Biv sits on the bushline below.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Back Ridge Biv, a track climbs north 150m to the stamped metal signpost track junction on the summit. From here the track to the main Kaweka Range heads N-NE along the ridgline, initially through beech forest & along a cushioning moss-lined track, emerging briefly onto clay-pan tops at the Maminga highpoint where views of the western flanks of the Kaweka Range are impressive, as are the views west into the Rocks Ahead & south into the Kiwi catchments respectively. The track then drops into bush for Sterns Saddle. where a stamped metal signpost indicates the turnoff to Back Ridge Hut. The ridge is a delight to walk along.