Distance: 3.7 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 379m to 1459m. Gain: 128m. Loss: 1208m . Gradient: 22 deg (Steep)
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

Steep (difficulty: 5/5)
Steep climbs of >1000m

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 signpost just below the trig at Mt Holdsworth marks the turnoff to Isabelle and Mid Waiohine. The track is a bit overgrown with tussock and slow going - look carefully for the footpad. A steep low saddle connects Holdsworth and Isabelle. The descent starts gentle down the tussock WSW off Isabelle, but on reaching a cairn the track swings west and descends precipitously into the bush. A very steep descent on a good cut track with plenty to hold onto follows until 10 minutes before the hut, when the gradient lessens. A 1000m descent without a break of slope. Mid Waiohine Hut is on the track on a damp, dark terrace above the river. Great campsite exists on the river flat.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Mid Waiohine Hut, the track ascends at a steady gradient NW for 10 minutes before swingign west and becoming extremely steep. A 1000m grunt follows to the bushline up a well cut but precipitous track through mature bush. At the bushline the gradient becomes pleasant and a stroll up the remaining 200m at a more civilised gradient follows to Isabelle summit. A low steep saddle separates Isabelle from Holdsworth and through tall tussock on a little used track it's slow going. A signpost just south of Mt Holdsworth marks the junction with the well used and obvious Holdsworth-Jumbo circuit track.