Distance: 3.8 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 799m to 1225m. Gain: 155m. Loss: 453m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

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

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

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

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

From the signposted track junction at Waiatupuritia Saddle, the track climbs west briefly, gaining 100m before swinging north down a long spur descending into the Cascade valley. The track reached the valley floor, crossing a sidestream 100m above the main river. Excellent camp spots exists at this crossing.

A good track then follows the valley floor downriver, crossing the creek a couple of times (ankle to knee deep, tree-trunks were available to cross on when I visited in 2015). The signposted track junction with the Kaipo valley track to Oamaru Hut is reached after 1.5km.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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