Distance: 1.2 km (0.8 DOC hours) - Marked route - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 1134m to 1320m. Gain: 0m. Loss: 186m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) - Streams (2/6) Winter - Iceaxe/crampons (4/7)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

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

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

Occasional scrambles (difficulty: 3/7)
Tramp with some scrambles and exposure to falls

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

Iceaxe/crampons (difficulty: 4/7)
Ice axe and crampons required in winter

A good poled route descends west from Waipawa Saddle to Waikamaka Hut.

Follow the warratahs west off the saddle, following a steep, narrow spur between two tributaries of the stream. There are some narrow, nervous scrambles at one point, after which you cross the southern fork of the creek atop a waterfall, and descend a tussock face to the river.

From here you are left to follow the small stream downriver to the forks at Waikamaka Hut. The stream is small and poses no risk in normal conditions. In flood conditions you may be able to sidle the southern bank, though it would be tough and scrubby.

A signpost, 10m before the confluence, marks the track ascending 20m to Waikamaka Hut on the southern bank. An old run-down biv is also located on the northern bank.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Wakiamaka Hut, ascend the riverbed to the 3rd fork shown on maps. Here look out for the start of a warratah-marked track climbing the southern face. This climbs above a waterfall, crosses to a narrow spur between two forks of the creek, and follows it up to the saddle. Some parts of the climb are scrambles on the narrow spur.