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DOC Land
Altitude: 636m to 1162m. Gain: 549m. Loss: 23m . Gradient: 7 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)
The kiwi stream route from Kiwi Mouth to Kiwi Saddle is generally considered the fastest. However, heavy rain can easily make this route impassible. The worst crossing is that at Kiwi Mouth hut, and if this is ok, then the route will generally be viable. Crossings are generally knee-deep in normal conditions.
From Kiwi Mouth Hut head upriver on the Back Ridge track and cross the Kiwi Stream. From here, leave the track and head upriver on the northern bank on a route marked with DOC triangles. The route is in-part cut track, in-part riverbed route and continues upriver for 3km, crossing the river countless times. The gradient of the river is low and the bend on rounded river stones. After 3km the river starts to climb more steeply, and a small waterfall/rapid must be scrambled around. A few meters beyond a DOC triangle on the southern bank marks the start of the track climbing to Kiwi Saddle. The track out of the river is steep and rough on claypan, and can be very slippery after rain to the point of an ice-axe / trekking poles being required. After 300m of climb in about the same distance, the track reaches gentler-sloping main spur joins the wet-weather track from Kiwi Mouth. The final 1.5km to Kiwi Saddle Hut is a gently climb through first manuka and later beech on a well cut well marked track.