Distance: 4.0 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1099m to 1479m. Gain: 309m. Loss: 554m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6) 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 (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

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

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

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

From the form in the main range, continue NNW over pt1503 (a 100x100m round lump 20m higher than the surrounding flat tops). Continue another 200m on a bearing of 320 degrees to reach a signpost pointing WNW towards Potae (Ruahine Corner Hut). From here head WNW and pick up the side-spur dropping in that direction. It all requires good compass skills in bad weather on these featureless tops.

Soon the spur becomes well defined and enters leatherwood through a well travelled, well cut track (2018). The track drops and climbs repeatedly through beech forest for 2km, before crossing a small stream, climbing and sidling a bit, then making a final steep climb to the wind-carved rock of Potae ridge. A signposted track junction with the Colenso / Ruahine Corner Track is found on the crown of the ridge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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