Distance: 3.4 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 670m to 1396m. Gain: 1m. Loss: 727m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) 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

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

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

A faintly travelled, poled route drops west from Colenso, past the tarn and over a small rise, before swinging SW down the spur towards Kawhatau. Once into the scrub/bush the track is easily followed, but moderately steep. The track is cut and well marked. The track hits the end of the private road at Kawhatau Base hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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