Distance: 3.4 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 712m to 1404m. Gain: 53m. Loss: 745m . Gradient: 14 deg (Moderate-hard)
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

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

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 Rocks Ahead track starts at the signposted junction at the summit above Back Ridge Biv, with a stamped metal sign stating it is a 2 hr decent. After a brief 100m section on the open top, the track enters mature beech forest and starts its long descent to the Ngarurora River below. Following a well defined spur, the descent is easy at first, with several brief climbs over outlying knobs, including pt. 1371. The last 1.5km however, is steep & continuous & the spur less defined. The track is well cut & marked however (2018) & 20m from the river a signposted junction is reached with Rocks Ahead Hut lying 20m upriver & a track leading briefly downriver to the cableway to cross to the western bank & Rocks Ahead Biv.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the track junction 20m south of Rocks Ahead Hut, a stamped metal sign post states it is 2 hrs 30 min to Back Ridge Biv. The track up on to Back Ridge heads east & initially climbs gently before steepening as it climbs unforgivingly up an ill-defined spur to the first bush knob. The gradient lessens & the spur becomes more defined as you make your way over numerous small climbs, followed by small descents, including a climb over pt. 1371 & into a bush saddle before the summit of Back Ridge is reached. Travel is through mature beech forest & higher up the track is lined with beautiful moss. The last 100m to the stamped metal signpost at the track junction on the summit is in the open. Follow a poled route which drops to Back Ridge Biv which lies 150m SE of the junction on the far bush edge.