From the information panel at the campground, the Kuripapango track runs up flats on the eastern bank of the Ngaruroro river for 200. Two sidestreams are crossed by bridge.

After 200m of flat, the track starts to ascend steeply up the spur to Kurikapango summit, and continues on the same gradient for 2km, gaining 800m. The track is generally ok - on gravelly clay-pan in places but not as slippery as faces further west. Track markers are poles / cairns, but the track is well used and generally fairly obvious. The track hits the Lakes-Kiwi Saddle track 100m west of the summit/transmitter tower at a signposted junction.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Heading NE from the track junction slightly west of the Kurikapango summit, the track continues to follow the ridgeline, generally sidling north of its summit. The track wanders & climbs through pockets of manuka & pines & then enters a section of beautiful beech-leaved tracks with velvet-like moss carpets either side & then pops out of the bush onto open tops at pt. 1359. From this vantage point there are views down towards the Cameron Hut area & further afield to Mt Ruapehu, which it's heading sitting above pt. 1191. Beyond pt. 1359 the track teeters between bush to the north & scree faces to the south as it drops over a couple of saddles & makes the steep, loose climb to the Cameron Hut track junction. The junction is signposted on the bushedge on the unnamed summit 1km south of Kiwi Saddle Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Cameron Hut track junction the track drops steeply to the first of several saddles. Teetering between scree faces to the south & bush faces to the north, the well marked route follows the ridgeline south east to pt. 1359, where it enters beech forest & becomes a cut marked track again. Sidling just north of the ridgeline it's a further 1.5km along beautiful beech-leaved tracks & manuka forest to the signposted track junction just west of the summit of Kurikapango with signs indicating a descent to either the Cameron or 'The Lakes' carparks.

From the Cameron Hut turnoff there are good views into the true left middle catchment of Kiwi Creek & further west to pt. 1191 & the ridge that runs north-south towards pt. 1238. From the Cameron Hut turnoff the track to Kiwi Saddle Hut continues north, passing some lovely gardens of alpine coprosma's. The track drops steeply for 300m along the west side of the ridgeline as it passes through areas of fine gravel & clay-pan, reaching Kiwi Saddle 300m below. This short descent is exposed & marked by cairns & intermittent poles. Upon reaching the flat saddle below, markers desert you & you make your way though a couple of pockets of manuka before encountering Kiwi Saddle Hut about 20m inside the bushedge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Kiwi Saddle Hut the track south climbs 300m through pockets of clay-pans & fine gravel on the west side of the ridge marked intermittently with cairns & poles to the unnamed summit & the junction with the Cameron Hut track. The climb is steady; not too steep on solid, fine stone. There are good views to be had to the west into the catchment below & further westward.

From Kiwi Saddle Hut the track south climbs 300m through pockets of clay-pans & fine gravel on the west side of the ridge marked intermittently with cairns & poles to the unnamed summit & the junction with the Cameron Hut track. The climb is steady; not too steep on solid, fine stone. There are good views to be had to the west into the catchment below & further westward.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Cameron Hut turnoff there are good views into the true left middle catchment of Kiwi Creek & further west to pt. 1191 & the ridge that runs north-south towards pt. 1238. From the Cameron Hut turnoff the track to Kiwi Saddle Hut continues north, passing some lovely gardens of alpine coprosma's. The track drops steeply for 300m along the west side of the ridgeline as it passes through areas of fine gravel & clay-pan, reaching Kiwi Saddle 300m below. This short descent is exposed & marked by cairns & intermittent poles. Upon reaching the flat saddle below, markers desert you & you make your way though a couple of pockets of manuka before encountering Kiwi Saddle Hut about 20m inside the bushedge.

Dropping west from the track junction towards Cameron Hut, its just 100m to the bush edge & some shelter from the elements, otherwise remain on the open tops & enjoy the views. The track rounds the end of the open tops & drops steeply, albeit briefly south, to reach the bush edge & a 'flat' spot. The track wanders, seemingly for an age, along the south side of the ridge to descend a prominent rock outcrop & the track becomes increasingly covered in windfall. As the track meanders westward along the ridgeline at around the 1100m contour, it passes through some lovely moss-lined sections as it climbs & falls over numerous small peaks & appearing to get no closer to the silver thread of the Ngaruroro River (visible on a good day) 1000m below at the base of the deep gorge. There are good views along this ridge of the slip-scarred northerly faces below Te Iringa on the opposite side of the valley, where the vegetation is the sparse manuka so typical of the Kawekas; the north slopes of the valley covered in a solid canopy of open beech. Finally, west of pt. 1191 a track junction is reached in the bush, with the north track sidling across towards pt. 1238 & Kiwi Mouth Hut (the fastest way out of that hut, if the Kiwi Stream is up). If intending to descend to Cameron Hut, keep heading west. Stash some gear at the track junction if you intend to return here from Cameron Hut; you'll be grateful you did.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Heading east from the pt. 1238/ Kiwi Mouth turnoff, the Cameron - Kiwi Mouth track climbs & meanders along the ridgeline for an age, never seeming to get closer to the summit. Finally, after climbing around a prominent rock outcrop a steep climb is reached on a narrow ridge & you emerge from the bush onto the exposed tussock tops. A further 800m walk west follows - very exposed in a southerly, sidling just below the ridgeline on the northern face. The route is not well marked. The track junction for Kiwi Saddle Hut - Kurikapango is signposted & is on the bush edge on the summit.

From the Cameron - Kiwi Mouth junction, the track continues a further 500m west along the ridgeline, popping out into open tops almost immediately beyond the junction & there are magnificent views of Mt Ruapehu. The track skirts along the bush edge through pockets of clay-pans & then into beech forest as it gradually descends the ridge until reaching a prominent rocky outcrop. Here, the track abruptly veers steeply south into a gully. This descent is short before the track sidles & re-joins the ridge line below the rock outcrop. From this point on a precipitous descent to the Ngaruroro River begins; the broad 'Kaweka highway' is gone; the track cut only by the passing of feet as it zig-zags its way down a narrow foot bed & through a series of crumbling slips & two major clay-pan chutes with brief linking gravelly sidles between them. The descent goes on for ever - in & out of scree chutes & out onto smaller clay-pan faces. These faces are 'fine' in the dry but lethal after rain.

The track climbs very briefly to the top of a small open rocky knob from where it veers across the spur & enters the reprieve of the beech forest. At this knob, features on the valley-floor resolve into objects as you descend to a semi-circular flat, trapped between a sweeping curve of the river & the steep sides of the gorge. A large, circular clearing in the middle of the flat is a small dry lakebed. The sea of green becomes tall, mature manuka, growing some 10m tall on the flat. At the base of the spur a mossy highway is met & the track makes it's way along beautiful beech covered river terraces to a track junction: Kiwi Mouth Hut & Te Iringa to the right, Kurikapango (via the river) left but no mention of Cameron Hut. Closer inspection of the steel signs shows someone has scribbled Cameron Hut being to the left. Tall manuka poles line the track as it heads briefly downriver before swinging south towards the point of the peninsula. Cameron Hut sits in a moss-carpeted clearing 50m back from the river.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Cameron Hut, a cut, marked track leads north across the small flat to the base of the spur. A signposted track junction points upriver to Te Iringa & Kiwi Mouth Hut (via the river) or north up the face to the Cameron - Kiwi Mouth track junction.

Simply put, the 600m climb is steep & basic, becoming more of a route than track, the higher one climbs. The route climbs through beech forest to a small open rocky knob before it zig-zags it's way further up the spur via a series of crumbling slips & two major clay-pan chutes, linked via brief gravelly sidles. The ascent goes on for ever - in & out of scree chutes & traversing smaller clay-pan faces. These faces are 'fine' in the dry but barely passable after rain due to the smooth slippery surface & lack of things to hold onto: 'like butter spread on steel plate' my trip notes report. Walking poles or another aid would be useful after rain. Eventually, you reach more solid bush & a gravel surface & climb out onto the beech covered spur above a prominent rock outcrop on the spur proper. From here, you climb gradually through open mature beech forest along a broad cut & marked track & onto open tops, before swinging east for 500m to the Cameron - Kiwi Mouth track junction where a marked route heads north through a broad saddle towards pt. 1238 & Kiwi Mouth Hut, with the main track continuing east towards the Kiwi Saddle - Kurikapango junction.

From Cameron Hut, a cut, marked track leads north across the small flat to the base of the spur. A signposted track junction points upriver to Te Iringa & Kiwi Mouth Hut (via the river) or north up the face to the Cameron - Kiwi Mouth track junction.

Simply put, the 600m climb is steep & basic, becoming more of a route than track, the higher one climbs. The route climbs through beech forest to a small open rocky knob before it zig-zags it's way further up the spur via a series of crumbling slips & two major clay-pan chutes, linked via brief gravelly sidles. The ascent goes on for ever - in & out of scree chutes & traversing smaller clay-pan faces. These faces are 'fine' in the dry but barely passable after rain due to the smooth slippery surface & lack of things to hold onto: 'like butter spread on steel plate' my trip notes report. Walking poles or another aid would be useful after rain. Eventually, you reach more solid bush & a gravel surface & climb out onto the beech covered spur above a prominent rock outcrop on the spur proper. From here, you climb gradually through open mature beech forest along a broad cut & marked track & onto open tops, before swinging east for 500m to the Cameron - Kiwi Mouth track junction where a marked route heads north through a broad saddle towards pt. 1238 & Kiwi Mouth Hut, with the main track continuing east towards the Kiwi Saddle - Kurikapango junction.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Cameron - Kiwi Mouth junction, the track continues a further 500m west along the ridgeline, popping out into open tops almost immediately beyond the junction & there are magnificent views of Mt Ruapehu. The track skirts along the bush edge through pockets of clay-pans & then into beech forest as it gradually descends the ridge until reaching a prominent rocky outcrop. Here, the track abruptly veers steeply south into a gully. This descent is short before the track sidles & re-joins the ridge line below the rock outcrop. From this point on a precipitous descent to the Ngaruroro River begins; the broad 'Kaweka highway' is gone; the track cut only by the passing of feet as it zig-zags its way down a narrow foot bed & through a series of crumbling slips & two major clay-pan chutes with brief linking gravelly sidles between them. The descent goes on for ever - in & out of scree chutes & out onto smaller clay-pan faces. These faces are 'fine' in the dry but lethal after rain.

The track climbs very briefly to the top of a small open rocky knob from where it veers across the spur & enters the reprieve of the beech forest. At this knob, features on the valley-floor resolve into objects as you descend to a semi-circular flat, trapped between a sweeping curve of the river & the steep sides of the gorge. A large, circular clearing in the middle of the flat is a small dry lakebed. The sea of green becomes tall, mature manuka, growing some 10m tall on the flat. At the base of the spur a mossy highway is met & the track makes it's way along beautiful beech covered river terraces to a track junction: Kiwi Mouth Hut & Te Iringa to the right, Kurikapango (via the river) left but no mention of Cameron Hut. Closer inspection of the steel signs shows someone has scribbled Cameron Hut being to the left. Tall manuka poles line the track as it heads briefly downriver before swinging south towards the point of the peninsula. Cameron Hut sits in a moss-carpeted clearing 50m back from the river.

A rough, unmaintained but marked track runs north-south between the Kiwi Saddle-Kiwi Mouth track and the Cameron Hut track. The track drops 100m to a beech-clad saddle before climbing to the track junction at the far end. Both ends are signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A rough & unmaintained but sporadically marked track runs north-south between the Kiwi Saddle - Kiwi Mouth track & the Cameron Hut track. From the Cameron Hut - Kiwi Mouth track junction the track drops gently 100m into a beech-clad saddle, where care should be taken to keep to the right as you near the actual saddle to avoid heading down a false spur that runs between the heads of two streams west of the track as shown on the map. As you approach the saddle the markers become increasingly sporadic but as you near the north side of the saddle a foot-bed is evident & the climb out is straight forward. In a surprise, you reach the bush edge, emerging into an open area & are met by what can only be described as a 'single-lane highway', such is the width of the track as it passes through shoulder height alpine scrub. This is followed to the bush edge not far below the Kiwi Mouth - Kiwi Saddle track junction, which sits inside the bush. There are steel sign posts at both ends of this track.

From the Kiwi Mouth - Kiwi Saddle track junction the orange track markers become prolific & you climb gently through beech forest to the flat high point of pt. 1238. Dropping in a NW direction you negotiate your way down a 'single-lane' width track through beech & alpine scrub before emerging onto open clay-pan faces. From this point to the bush line proper, you essentially connect up the various steep (600m in 1km) open NW facing clay-pans & clay-shutes as the route descends an ill-defined spur. Orange triangles become sparse & at some of the larger clay-pans care needs to be taken to identify the exit point as it is not always at the base of the clay-pan. The route steepens & swings west, & the views across to the expansive open tops of Mt Meany & the ridge up to the Manson Tops is impressive. Eventually, you hit the bush line & the gradient eases somewhat & eventually you are greeted by the distinctive orange of Kiwi Mouth Hut, sitting beside the Ngaruroro River.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Behind Kiwi Mouth hut the signposted track climbs steeply up the face towards pt1238. Initially the spur is ill-defined. The track is well marked, but in places not obvious on the ground where it follows chutes or open claypan faces. At 600 vertical meters in 1km it is a steep, hard climb.

On reaching the summit, the track enters beech forest on the flat tops. A signposted track junction is reached 300m beyond marking the turnoff south to Cameron Hut (and the faster route to Kurikapango bypassing the descent to Kiwi Saddle), the main track continuing east to Kiwi Saddle Hut.

Heading downriver on the true left from the Kiwi Mouth Hut a well marked & well cut track runs 700m SW to a swing-bridge. A signpost at a junction just above the Ngaruroro River indicates the route downriver to Cameron Hut. Crossing the bridge, the track becomes indistinct & it climbs ever so slightly through, over & under a significant number of windfalls (July, 2018) to meet the spur running down from Manson Hut. Once on the spur things improve dramatically. It is a consistent climb north to the first of two bush knobs before pt. 1045. The track cuts across the western face of pt. 1045 on ill-defined slips & clay-pans which are steep & slippery after rain, eventually reaching a saddle north of the aforementioned high point. From here on, travel is on a well-used & well-marked poled route, climbing steeply through the last of the beech to the open tops of the ridgeline, where the views begin to unveil themselves. Continuing in a NW direction the track climbs higher through tussocks & clay-pans, skirting around the NE side of pt. 1311, before turning due north 1km before Manson Hut. A number of old tree stumps are passed on the scree covered tops. A stamped metal signposted indicates the turnoff to Manson Hut, which sits 50m below the ridgeline in a tongue of bush.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Manson hut, climb 50m back to the ridgeline track. The poled route runs south along exposed tops & is well marked & well travelled. The descent to pt. 1045 on steep, slippery clay-pan can be dodgy when wet & at pt. 1045 the track cuts south across a clay-pan/ fine scree face to the west of the peak to reach a saddle beyond - this section is steep & not well marked. At the saddle south of pt. 1045 the track enters bush & is well cut & well marked (2018)) as it zigzags down to the Ngarurora River which it crosses on a swingbridge 700m downriver of Kiwi Mouth Hut. An excellent track runs up the true left side of the river to the hut. I've never spotted the 'short-cut' track shown on maps which drops directly to the hut. I suspect it no longer exists.

From Manson Hut, head south through a tongue of beech directly behind the hut to the crest of a spur where a stamped metal sign indicates the roughly marked route east to Old Manson Hut. Follow the foot bed down through slips, clay-shutes & manuka scrub. The route drops steeply buts becomes better defined, becoming a track as you re-enter the beech forest. The track finally emerges into a flat, grassy basin 100m below & Old Manson Hut sits on the edge at the back of the bush-basin.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

When standing in front of the Old Mansion Hut looking downhill towards the lower end of the grassy basin, head to the lower right hand corner & follow vague, ill-defined & old flagging tape down the small un-named side creek to the Tapahiwhenua Stream. Head down Tapahiwhenua Stream for 80-100m & climb up on to the true left bank to the base of a rugged-looking, & scrubby but open side spur. Climb in a NE direction, picking your way through scrub near the bush edge on the crest of the spur. As you gain height the scrub lessens & the going becomes easier, eventually reaching the bush edge & open tussock tops where you can look back into the bush-basin holding Old Manson Hut. Once on the open tops the spur becomes more defined & it sidles to the south of an un-named high point (SE of pt. 1412) eventually meeting the DOC poled route that runs in a NW-SE direction from Mansion Biv.

Upon meeting the poled route stick to the spur as it descends steeply to the bush edge, which it skirts around the bush for a few hundred metres before an orange triangle indicates where to enter the bush. At this point the route becomes a track & the decent continues through the bush to a saddle NW of pt. 1257. The climb out of the saddle is straightforward & the track soon emerges back out on to the open tops where a ground trail climbs & skirts along the bush edge towards pt. 1257. The trail swings SW for 200m to Mansion Biv, which sits just inside the bush edge. Note: do not swing into the open country after emerging from the bush saddle, stick to the bush edge ground trail.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Manson Biv head out to the open tops & follow the ground trail 200m NE to pt. 1257. Make sure to locate the orange triangle on the bush edge so as to pick up the marked DOC track that drops in a NW direction into the bush saddle. The climb out of the saddle is short but steep, bringing you to bush edge, where you skirt around the end of the bush & climb very steeply to an un-named highpoint. Once back on the open tops, skirt the south face of the first peak to pick up the obvious clear spur heading due south. Follow this to where it starts to drop steeply (still on open tops) towards the main creek. At around the 1200m contour, look out for a vague spur dropping SW with a tongue of beech rising up it to nearly meet the main spur you are on. Take this side-spur SW & drop with it to the river. The top of the spur becomes scrubby but the going just south of the crest is good in open (though steep) beech forest.

On reaching the Tapahiwhenua Stream, head 80-100m upstream, ignoring the first small sidecreek (not shown on maps) to the sidecreek draining from Old Manson Hut. Follow either the creek or the spur to its north uphill (west) until a large grassy basin opens out beside the creek. Old Manson Hut sits at the back of this basin. A vague old flagging-tape route runs from Tapahiwhenua Stream to the hut but it is ill-defined.

From Manson Biv head out to the open tops & follow the ground trail 200m NE to pt. 1257. Make sure to locate the orange triangle on the bush edge so as to pick up the cut & well marked DOC track that drops in a NW direction into the bush saddle. The climb out of the saddle is short but steep, bringing you to bush edge, where you skirt around the end of the bush & climb very steeply through tussock to an un-named highpoint. Once back on the open tops (800m SE of pt. 1412), follow the poled route 2km in a generally NW direction across pleasant flat tops to meet the main Manson tops poled route at a stamped metal signposted junction 500m ESE of Manson highpoint.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted junction 500m ESE of Manson highpoint, the route to Manson Biv continues ESE along the range. Occasional poles aid routefinding, but for the most part the route is unmarked and no clear ground trail exists. Keeping to the top of the ridge swing south over pt1412 and ut east as the ridge becomes narrower and betteer defined, dropping to a beech covered saddle. The route keeps to the open northern face of the ridge for as long as possible. Just as the open grassy tops end a DOC triangle marks the start of a cut, marked track SE over the beech covered saddle. After a climb, this track emerges onto the open tops again at pt1257. Head 200m SW along the bushedge and look out for an unmarked track cutting east into the bush. Manson Biv lies out of sight, 20m into the beech.

Continuing NW from the Manson Biv junction, the poled route reaches another stamped metal signposted track junction after 500m - just below the Manson highpoint. This is the turnoff to Otutu Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted Otutu Hut turnoff, the Manson Tops track continues SE across broad tops. After about 500m the track starts to swing south & a stamped metal signposted junction is reached with the main poled route dropping south off the main ridge towards Manson Hut & a poled (though not shown on maps) route continuing SE along the ridge to Manson Biv.

From the open top junction NE of Manson, climb 200m SW to the top of Mansion via a poled route. Over the next 1km the route drops SW-W along a tussock ridge, passing through a short beech grove & down a short rocky gut to the bush edge, marked by a large orange triangle. A well-used track develops in the bush & drops steeply to a stream junction in Mason Creek which can be crossed normally with dry feet. The track then sidles very briefly up the true right of the main branch of Manson Creek before climbing very steeply for 200m up a well-marked & well-cut track to the bush edge. From here a sporadically poled route swings NE through beautiful tussocks & open tops to a high point south of Otutu Hut, before descending close to the eastern bush edge to the hut & a nearby weather station.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Heading south from Otutu Hut, keep an eye on the eastern bush edge. The track is poorly defined and featured only a coupe of poles on my visit. Crossing the highpoint south of Otutu then swinging east it drops to the bushedge, where a good marked, cut track starts - indicated by a triangle on the bushedge.

The track drops steeply to the small creek (normally easy - dry feet - but could flood in really heavy rain), then climbs the opposite valley side, soon emerging into clearings. A climb up the tussock ridgeline, dotted with beech follows to reach the Manson tops. The poled route crossed the Manson highpoint & drops to meet the main track at a signposted junction 200m east.

From Otutu Hut head north along the beech-clad ridge dropping into a saddle via a beautifully cut & well-marked track, adorned with thick layers of moss either side of the track. The beautiful track gradually climbs to the scrubby open poled tops, climbing to an un-named high point (SE of pt 1411) where there are magnificent views west to Ruapehu & Ngauruhoe. The route swings east, dropping to the bush edge & into another bush saddle SW of pt. 1373 where a stamped metal sign post indicates Rocks Ahead Hut, Manson Hut & Manson Biv. No mention of Ngaawapurua Hut to the north, accessed via private Maori Land which permission is needed to cross.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the track junction at pt1373 the cut, marked track to Otutu Hut drops through beech forest to a saddle, before climbing onto tops of scrubby subalpine plants. The tops route is poled & clear on the ground. Swinging south, it drops back into the beech for another saddle before emerging into a second clearing at Otutu Hut.

From pt. 1373 head due south for a brief time before the track through the beech forest swings to the E-SE whilst dropping into an un-named bush saddle. The track then sidles through bush in a S-SE direction over a series of un-named bush highpoints before climbing to reach the bush line east of the Manson - Rocks Ahead junction. From the bush line, climb an open spur over an un-named high point in an easterly direction to the aforementioned junction.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the 'Manson Rocks Ahead' junction head west along an open spur to the bush line, where no orange triangle indicates the entry point but it is obvious. Once in the bush the track sidles over a series of high points in a W-NW direction before dropping into an un-named bush saddle, before finally climbing due north to the high point of 1373.

From the Manson - Rocks Ahead junction a poled & well travelled route heads E-NE towards Rocks Ahead Hut through what looks like a moonscape dominated by sporadic stumpy rugged knobs & waves of rocks. After 1km on broad exposed tops a narrower ridgeline forms & the track swings east, dropping 40m into a saddle, which marks the turnoff to Omarukokere Biv to the north.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the top of the Omarukokere Spur, the Rocks Ahead track climbs briefly before reaching the broad, exposed Manson tops. The route is poled & well travelled. The stamped metal signposted junction for routes to Rocks Ahead, Otutu & Manson Hut & also Manson Biv is reached after 1km.

From the marked 'Rocks Ahead Manson Tops' route, head north down an open spur to the bush line. Upon entering the bush pick up the obvious ground trail which continues descending the spur in a NE direction. The track passes through both scrubby manuka & mature beech forest. Lower down the spur, the track swings towards the east & the Ngaruroro River with the track becoming vague in places as it nears the water body. The track emerges at the base of the spur, near the biv's helipad.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The spur west of Omarukokere Biv is the main all-weather access to the hut. From the biv head east past the helipad and to the base of the obvious spur behind the hut. Both the spur and the route are vague at first, but within 200m the spur becomes defined and the ground trail becomes visible. Follow the crest of the spur uphill all the way to the bushedge. Travel starts in scrubby manuka, but soon enters mature beech forest.

Once on the open tops continue south along the spur to the main ridge where it meets the obvious, marked Rocks Ahead - Manson Tops track.

The spur west of Omarukokere Biv is the main all-weather access to the hut. From the biv head east past the helipad and to the base of the obvious spur behind the hut. Both the spur and the route are vague at first, but within 200m the spur becomes defined and the ground trail becomes visible. Follow the crest of the spur uphill all the way to the bushedge. Travel starts in scrubby manuka, but soon enters mature beech forest.

Once on the open tops continue south along the spur to the main ridge where it meets the obvious, marked Rocks Ahead - Manson Tops track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the marked 'Rocks Ahead Manson Tops' route, head north down an open spur to the bush line. Upon entering the bush pick up the obvious ground trail which continues descending the spur in a NE direction. The track passes through both scrubby manuka & mature beech forest. Lower down the spur, the track swings towards the east & the Ngaruroro River with the track becoming vague in places as it nears the water body. The track emerges at the base of the spur, near the biv's helipad.

From the Omarukokere Biv turn off the route remains on the exposed open Spion Kop tops & swings SE towards pt. 1383. South of this high point is an un-named high point where the route swings east & drops to the bush edge. The route skirts along the bush edge & then enters the bush proper where a well-travelled track quickly develops. The track swings SE & descends steeply to Rocks Ahead Biv. The middle & lower sections of the track down through the bush was dominated by windfall (July, 2018) of which DOC are aware.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Rocks Ahead Biv the track climbs steeply up through the bush on a side spur in a NW direction, where it joins an easterly running spur, that swings due west & continues to climb to an un-named high point SE of pt. 1383 on Spion Kop & the bush edge. Upon reaching Spion Kop the route (exposed open tops) continues to climb in a north direction, over pt. 1383 & swings NW to meet the turn off to the Omarukokere Biv.

To reach Rocks Ahead Hut from Rocks Ahead Biv, follow the marked track 50m downriver to the cableway. You can either take the hand-wound cage over the Ngaruroro River, or drop to the bed & ford it if flows are low-moderate. On the true left bank follow the track upstream for 50m to a large clearing housing the hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

To reach Rocks Ahead Biv from Rocks Ahead Hut, head 50m downriver on the signposted track to the cableway. You can either take the hand-wound cage over the Ngaruroro River, or drop to the bed & ford it if flows are low-moderate. On the true right bank follow the track upstream for 50m as it climbs briefly to a large clearing housing the biv.

From the track junction 20m south of Rocks Ahead Hut, a stamped metal sign post states it is 2 hrs 30 min to Back Ridge Biv. The track up on to Back Ridge heads east & initially climbs gently before steepening as it climbs unforgivingly up an ill-defined spur to the first bush knob. The gradient lessens & the spur becomes more defined as you make your way over numerous small climbs, followed by small descents, including a climb over pt. 1371 & into a bush saddle before the summit of Back Ridge is reached. Travel is through mature beech forest & higher up the track is lined with beautiful moss. The last 100m to the stamped metal signpost at the track junction on the summit is in the open. Follow a poled route which drops to Back Ridge Biv which lies 150m SE of the junction on the far bush edge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The Rocks Ahead track starts at the signposted junction at the summit above Back Ridge Biv, with a stamped metal sign stating it is a 2 hr decent. After a brief 100m section on the open top, the track enters mature beech forest and starts its long descent to the Ngarurora River below. Following a well defined spur, the descent is easy at first, with several brief climbs over outlying knobs, including pt. 1371. The last 1.5km however, is steep & continuous & the spur less defined. The track is well cut & marked however (2018) & 20m from the river a signposted junction is reached with Rocks Ahead Hut lying 20m upriver & a track leading briefly downriver to the cableway to cross to the western bank & Rocks Ahead Biv.

From Back Ridge Biv, a track climbs north 150m to the stamped metal signpost track junction on the summit. From here the track to the main Kaweka Range heads N-NE along the ridgline, initially through beech forest & along a cushioning moss-lined track, emerging briefly onto clay-pan tops at the Maminga highpoint where views of the western flanks of the Kaweka Range are impressive, as are the views west into the Rocks Ahead & south into the Kiwi catchments respectively. The track then drops into bush for Sterns Saddle. where a stamped metal signpost indicates the turnoff to Back Ridge Hut. The ridge is a delight to walk along.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The track climbs west from Sterns Saddle following the ridgeline through manuka and beech. At the first peak (Maminga) it sidles the open northern face on claypan and gravel as it climbs to the summit, but beyond returns to the bush / ridgeline for the remainder of the trip. The turnoff to Rocks Ahead is signposted. At this junction a signposted poled track also drops 150m SE to where BAck Ridge Biv sits on the bushline below.

From Sterns Saddle, the Back Ridge Hut track cuts east, sidling the face to cross a rocky knoll/ spur from which Back Ridge Hut is visible below. The track drops & sidles to a small un-named & easily-crossed creek. Back Ridge Hut is on the edge of a small copse of beech on the opposite bank.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Back Ridge Hut the track crosses the small stream (should be crossable in almost any weather) and climbs, sidling west on the open face opposite. Crossing a small spur, the track meets the ridgeline at Sterns Saddle where a signpost marks the junction.

Snow / ice likely on tops. Southern faces descending off tops hold ice late into the day & can be dodgy.

This route takes the northern of the two ridges leading up from Back Ridge Hut to the main Kaweka Range. A roughly marked track behind the hut climbs briefly (2-3 min) through beech trees before you emerge into the open. A good foot trail exists in the tussocks as the route climbs towards the un-named peak north of Back Ridge Hut. The route sidles the SE face, climbing over a shoulder of the peak & sidling into a small basin before taking you into a small saddle. A poled route then follows the spur east, climbing to the main Kaweka Range through a series of clay-pans & over a series of steep loose rocky tops, including pt. 1552. The poled route frequently sidling the dark southern face of the spur which can hold ice late in the day in winter. The junction with the main Kaweka Range is marked by a stamped metal signpost which due to the sparsely placed poles could easily be missed in poor visibility.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

This route takes the northern of the two ridges leading down to Back Ridge Hut. The turnoff from the main range lies about 1km N-NE of Kaweka J & 500m north of the Makahu Spur junction. The junction is signposted & both tracks are sparsely poled so they could be easy to miss in bad weather. In good weather however, the entire Kaimanawa Range & central volcanic cones lie before you. Heading due west across exposed gravel tops from the track junction, the route begins to drop & a defined spur forms, delimited by valleys to the north & south. The spur drops in a series of steep rocky steps, still on bare gravel - often sidling down the southern face. Tussock is finally reached beyond pt. 1552 & the track continues to drop along the clear ridge to a narrow saddle. The map show the track continuing along the riidgeline but on the ground it sidles the southern face, contouring from the saddle to bypass the small un-named peak N-NE of Back Ridge Hut, until it reaches the spur dropping directly to the hut. The route then zigzags down though the tussock to enter beech forest just above the stream. Back Ridge Hut lies beside the stream some 50m beyond & downriver.

From the Back Ridge Hut turnoff, the main Kaweka Range route continues south across broad, featureless, stony tops to the Kaweka J highpoint. The route is sparsely poled & markers could be hard to find in poor visibility. The Makahu Spur track junction is signposted & reached 100m before the summit. By the summit of Kaweka J stands a large cairn & there is a memorial plaque to Heretaunga Tramping Club members who lost their lives during WWII. A nearby stamped metal signpost marks the start of the route west down to Sterns Saddle & on to Back Ridge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Kaweka J highpoint, the main range route runs north across broad, stony tops for 1km to the North Ridge/ Back Ridge Hut turnoff. The route is sparsely poled & easy to lose in poor visibility. The track junction is marked by a signpost.

Heading SW from the cairn & memorial atop Kaweka J, the ridgeline continues broad & flat, meandering along the Kaweka tops to reach Mad Dog summit. The route junction for the northern access to Studholme Saddle Hut is signposted & reached 100m south of the 'Mad Dog' summit itself. Although the main Kaweka Range ridgeline is obvious in good weather, a map & compass would be advisable in poor visibility.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

North of Mad Dog Hill the ridgeline becomes almost flat & the route meanders along the Kaweka tops to reach the Kaweka J summit, gaining 100m in 1.5km. The route is poled but often the distance between poles is sufficient to lose sight of them in poor weather. Though the ridgeline is obvious in good weather & navigation is straight forward, a map & compass would be advisable in poor visibility. A large cairn & a memorial to Heretaunga Tramping Club members lost in WWII lies just to the NE of the summit & may provide some shelter.

At the signposted turnoff just south of Mad Dog Hill, drop down a SW leading spur into the head of the Studholme catchment. The route descends the sparsely poled spur & the first 100m is down through loose but easy scree. The next few hundred metres require full attention as the route descends, zigzagging down a steep narrow rocky rib, where a cairn marks the point to drop west off the spur to the bush line where a large orange triangle is to be found. The track descends through the bush along a good ground trail to a small log-jammed stream which Studholme Saddle Hut sits.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Follow the well marked track (initially on the true right of the un-named stream) down through beech forest. It soon exits the bush into a lovely small tussock valley. From here, numerous easy crossings of the stream take you down valley to Studholme Saddle Biv, which sits on the eastern side of the stream you followed & at the forks with another small stream, entering from the east.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

The beginning of the route up the spur to pt. 1408 is difficult to pick up amongst all the low bush/ scrub on the true left of the un-named stream that flows from slightly west of Studholme Saddle. Standing at the forks of the two streams close to the biv one can see a waratah on the sky-line to head towards. An alternative way to access the spur is via the edges of an old slip (originating from two large rocky outcrops on the spur), on the true left, 20-30m downstream of the forks. It is possible from various points on the slip to sidle across & pick up the faint ground trail on the spur proper. From this point ascend the lightly poled route up the spur to the stamped metal signpost on top of the main Kaweka Range, just north of the turnoff to Mackintosh Spur. Note: there is no stamped metal signpost at the base of the spur near the biv.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A lightly poled route runs up/down the spur between Studholm Saddle Biv & the signposted turnoff north of Mackintosh Spur. A vague ground trail is present through the tussock.

From the stamped metal sign post atop pt. 1408 the route heads south along the main Kaweka range, dropping into a small saddle before ascending to the Mackintosh Spur junction on the next immediate knob. The junction is marked with a stamped metal signpost, indicating Mackintosh Hut to the east & Kiwi Saddle Hut to the west.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

North of Mackintosh Spur, the poled route follows the Kaweka Main range 500m north through a small saddle to pt. 1408. A signpost on the summit marks the turnoff for the southern access to Studholme Saddle Hut.

A wide, well-marked & well cut tunnel of a track drops through a land of contorta pines as it winds its way down Mackintosh Spur. At one particular point the track climbs up & over a gnarly rocky knob. Note: the track was cleared of large amounts of windfall on 2 Aug. 2018. Lower down the spur, pines are replaced by pole-thin manuka's & the track soon emerges onto flats at the base of the range. At a track junction a stamped metal signpost announces Mackintosh Hut is 20 minutes away & 'The Lakes' car park (via the former Kaweka Hut) is to the right. Another track junction, 5 minutes later, indicates Makahu Saddle car park to the left.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Leaving the track junction, the beech gives way to manuka at the base of the hill, which is soon overwhelmed by contorta as the altitude rises. The track continues wide and well-cut: a tunnel through pines, opening to red clay-pan and rock, closing in again. Always climbing. The climb is only 450m and soon we're there where the pines stop abruptly at the summit of main ridge

From the Kaweka Biv track junction, the MAckintosh Hut track heads SSE across beech and pine covered flats. A junction 300m before the hut is the turnoff for Makahu Saddle Hut. Mackintosh Hut sits on the edge of an area of beech overlooking a large clearing.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Taking the track north from Mackintosh Hut leads through a mixture of pines and beech forest towards the base of the main range. Taking the left turn 300m from the hut the trackj continues a further 400m across the flats to a 2nd signposted junction - the turnoff for the track to The Lakes via the former Kaweka Biv site.