Distance: 6.3 km (3.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 405m to 752m. Gain: 40m. Loss: 383m . Gradient: 4 deg (Gentle)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)

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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

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

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the Island Lake track junction follow markers through tall scrub skirting the tussocky flats and then down through bush to ford the outlet of Island Lake. Follow the track as it continues over the hill and back across the outlet stream to reach large boggy flats at Point 565. The patch of bush in the middle would provide sheltered camping. Cross swampy terrain at the western end of the flats and its on down through towards the Grebe. I never saw and track heading off to the southwest as the map indicates, instead I continued to follow the main track until I saw light through the trees to the west indicating open space beyond. Leave the track and push through bush and scrub to reach the upper Grebe River, just a trickle flowing across very slippery rocks coated in a red algae. Once across to the true left of the Grebe the chimney of Historic Clark Hut is visible down valley against the far bush edge (if you look south up valley you should also see the A Frame Clark Hut). Follow your nose off track across the boggy flats of the Grebe to the hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description