Distance: 0.9 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 786m to 1163m. Gain: 0m. Loss: 377m . Gradient: 26 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: 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-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous 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

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

From the signpost on the ridgeline, a track drops initially SE into the Koau, through flax and tussock. You soon enter mature bush of beech and broadleaf, and drop steeply east towards the valley floor, sidling downriver in the process. It's a good but steep tramping track. Diane's Hut sits in a clearing 40m above the river on the northern bank, directly on the track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Distance: 7.1 km (3.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 1142m to 1359m. Gain: 382m. Loss: 186m . Gradient: 5 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Secondary, mapped (3/5)
Formal route, on maps, an alternative recognised access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

No track marked past Taruarau Bivy turnoff sign, except for the odd cairn.
Near Pt 1190 the travel through the beech forest on East side of ridge was good.
The plateau approx 1km before Pt 1282 was scrubby and hard going. The likely best option is to stick to the West side of plateau.
About half way between Pt 1190 and Pt 1282 you leave public land and go onto private land where permission is required. This seems to list the names of the owners https://www.maorilandinfo.co.nz/groups/te-koau-a/members.html
Eventually you hit the track that goes directly north south. THis is suitable for a quad bike and is distinctive in the tussock.
The junction with the turn off to Ikawetea Forks Hut is signedposted (2024).

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Distance: 4.5 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 589m to 1392m. Gain: 102m. Loss: 869m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - 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

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous 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

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From Sign follow poles along spur to trig. This is a trapline so gets regular use.
The track is marked with big orange triangle on the bushline.
Steep descent onto plateau. Mature Beech forest with some big trees.
Another steep descent to the river.
Hut is on spur inside the confluence.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description