Distance: 5.8 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 199m to 760m. Gain: 773m. Loss: 217m . Gradient: 10 deg (Moderate)
Skills:

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

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

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

A poorly marked, infrequently cut (2010) track follows the broad wooded ridgeline NW from the Neill Forks turnoff along Cone Ridge. The track was easy to lose in 2010, but following the main ridge was possible to pick up again.

2018 - this track is clear and marked, although the forest is quite open in places, so be observant of markers. It appears as though the track drops slightly off the west of the ridge as opposed to traversing the top, but this is well indicated with orange tape and markers. A quick easy traverse along the top without too many roots or bogs, until it drops steeply (as below description).

The ridge narrows as you start to descend, and the track becomes better defined, dropping first gently, later steeply to reach flats upriver of Totora Flats Hut. The hut is 500m downstream just beyond the swingbridge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description