Distance: 5.7 km (4.0 DOC hours) - Marked route - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 399m to 814m. Gain: 470m. Loss: 383m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
GPX info source: Drawn on map

The Duckville track starts on the upriver side of the forks shown on the map. A zigzag track climbs to the spur, and then follows it north onto the tops. Scrubby at first, the bush becomes more open as you climb, until the ridgeline itself which has scrubby and windfallen patches. The 'track' is not cut, and appears never to have been so, but starts off well marked with a mixture of flagging tape and 40-year-old permolat. Around the highpoint the flagging tape runs out and marking become sporadic. A compass is handy to find the correct route down off the highpoints.

Dropping north down the spur into the Weramata, orange DOC triangles suddenly appear around the 640m contour, and direct you west off the spur into the western fork. Once on the valley floor, travel is down the riverbed. The banks are choked with ongaonga and impassable for the most part, and the narrow riverbed is often blocked by overhanging plants too. Full wet weather gear and 'go for it' or try and insinuate your way between the branches without getting stung. The western valleyside offers nettle-free travel, where it is gentle enough to use.

Stream crossings were ankle deep, and this section of small creek seems unlikely to become impassable in all but the worst of conditions.

Duckville Hut is 20m above the river forks on the upriver spur on the TL. DOC triangle mark at track to the hut along the upriver bushedge.

Last updated by: Madpom at 2015-04-11 18:07:29. Experienced: 2015-04-03
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