Follow the poled route along the DOC boundary fence west up the hill, soon joining the Mt Misery Rd farm track. Swinging south over pt808, climb to another low flat summit from where a spur drops east to Kahikatea Lodge. The turnoff is not signposted.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/glencoe---east-otago

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The poled track follows the farm track SW along the boundary of the Wainakarua CA to a signposted junction 500m south of Mt Misery. From here a track continues north to end at the summit, and another runs west over Bells Saddle.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/glencoe---east-otago

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A sparsely poled route drops west from the signposted turnoff 500m south of Mt Miserable, following the fenceline steeply down to Bells Saddle. Cross the intermediate peak - pt 884 and descend to the second saddle before climbing again to Conical Peak where a 4WD track commences. There are occasional poles on the fenceline, but this is effectively an unmarked route through the tussock. Follow the 4WD track 1km WNW off Conical PEak to a track junction from where easements run south to the Pig Root at Kinross, and north down to the Wainakarua.

See https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/kinross

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Public access easement resulting from Kinross tenure review. Follows 4wd track

See https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/kinross

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Public access easement resulting from Kinross tenure review. Follows 4wd track

See https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/kinross

Public access easement resulting from Kinross tenure review. Follows 4wd track

See https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/kinross

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Public access easement resulting from Kinross tenure review. Follows 4wd track

See https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/kinross

Public access easement resulting from Kinross tenure review. Follows 4wd track to yards just downstream of river forks.

See https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/kinross

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Public access easement resulting from Kinross tenure review. Follows 4wd track

See https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/kinross

Follow the marginal strip up the Wainakarua river from the yards at Point I to the forks. There is good access on the true right.

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Follow the marginal strip down the Wainakarua river to the yards at Point I from the forks. There is good access on the true right.

Easement for public access- outcome of Caithness tenure review.

Climb out of the Wainakarua to the farm track on the Otepopo spur on steep tussock face. Track is good going as it climbs the ridgeline to the boundary at pt813. Route is not marked.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/caithness

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Easement for public access- Outcome of Caithness tenure review

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/caithness

Crown land resulting from Mt Dasher tenure review - not yet showing on published DOC maps.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/mt-dasher

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Crown land resulting from Mt Dasher tenure review - not yet showing on published DOC maps.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/mt-dasher

Crown land resulting from Mt Dasher tenure review - not yet showing on published DOC maps. Follow ridgeline.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/mt-dasher

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Crown land resulting from Mt Dasher tenure review - not yet showing on published DOC maps. Follow ridgeline.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/mt-dasher

Crown land resulting from Mt Dasher tenure review - not yet showing on published DOC maps. Follow track. Deep Creek is the PCL boundary.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/mt-dasher

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Crown land resulting from Mt Dasher tenure review - not yet showing on published DOC maps. Follow track. Deep Creek is the PCL boundary.

https://www.linz.govt.nz/crown-property/crown-pastoral-land/status-and-location-crown-pastoral-land/mt-dasher

A good 4WD track traverses the northern face of Kakanui Peak 100m below the summit. This track runs along the ridgeline between Mt Pisgah and Kakanui peak and is well maintained (2021)

Note: The only realistic access to water was the creekheads north of pt1253 - and would have required a 100m-200m descent.

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No description

Follow 4wd track and ridgeline NW from Mt Pisgah to Mt Nobbler

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Follow ridgeline then 4wd track SE to Mt Pisgah from Mt Nobbler

Road walk down Danseys Pass. An old pack-horse track runs just above the road, if you prefer it.

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A 4WD track heads up Timber Creek from the Danseys Pass Rd and climbs Mt Kyeburn. A further old 4WD track drops north from the summit later swinging west to the spectacular Buster Diggings. Mt Buster Hut is on the south face just before the diggings, just over the fence.

Timber Creek must be crossed at the start of the track. It is generally OK, but could become impassable after very heavy rain.

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From Buster Hut the poled route heads ESE across the head of a small creek and follows the spur down to the Little Kyeburn below. The final descent is a steep zigzag between bluffs. Crossing the river twice the track sidles down through the gorge to reach flats beyond, where it joins an old 4WD track. This leads 2km SW to Little Kyeburn Huts on the Mt Buster Road - generally accessible by 2WD vehicles to this point.

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From Little Kyeburn Huts, follow the old farm track NE across scrubby flats on the souther side of the river. On reaching the base of Mt Kyeburn, the track swings north across a branch of the creek. The poled route leaves the 4WD track soon after and heads into the Little Kyeburn gorge. Sidling above the river the cut, poled track follows the creek to the major forks, crossing to the north bank part way. The creek is small and should be OK to cross in most conditions.

From the forks the poled route zigzags steeply up the central spur between bluffs and scree to reach flatter tussock tops above. 1km later the track swings briefly west to reach Mt Buster Hut - a small bivvy on a fenceline beside Buster Diggings.

A steep, rough 4WD road zigzags down the face of the Hawkdons from Buster Diggings to Little Kyeburn Huts. The creek crossing to reach the huts on the south bank of Little Kyeburn is knee deep in normal flows and can flood. The hut on the north bank of the creek is private.

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A steep, rough 4WD road crosses the creek behind Little Kyeburn Huts and zigzags up the face of the Hawkdons to Buster Diggings. The creek crossing is knee deep in normal flows and can flood. The hut on the north bank of the creek is private.

At Buster Diggings, a signpost marks the junction with the track to Buster Hut and Timber creek/Dansey's Pass.

A 4WD track, muddy in places, meanders north across the Oteake tops from Buster Diggings before descending to Robertson Creek. The creek crossing is ankle deep in normal flows, though could conceivably flood. The track junction with the Brown Hut track is 500m beyond and is signposted.

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From the Brown Hut turnoff the track to Mt Buster drops to Robertson Creek which it fords. The creek crossing is ankle deep in normal flows, though could conceivably flood. The track then climbs south onto the flat, muddy Oteake tops which it crosses south to reach the Buster Diggings. A signposted track junction at the diggings marks the track to Buster Hut and Timber Creek / Dansey's Pass.

A good 4WD track runs down Guffes Creek from the Brown Hut turnoff to Tailings Hut There are several crossings, me of which can be deep. The creek can be impassable after heavy rain.

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A good 4WD track runs up Guffes Creek to the Brown Hut turnoff from Tailings Hut There are several crossings, me of which can be deep. The creek can be impassable after heavy rain.

A rough, steep 4WD track connects Tailings Hut to the Chimney Creek Hut junction. From the Chimney Creek Hut junction, the track continues across open tops for a further 3km before commencing a steepening descent into Boundary Creek. The road bridge over Boundary Creek is ling gone, but a stock bridge is present 200m upriver if you are on foot and need it. From there the track climbs over Long Spur, ascending in a series of tight stony zigzags. The track then descends more gently down to Tailings Hut in the valley beyond. A track climbing Long Spur leads into private Mt Ida Syndicate land.

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A rough, steep 4WD track connects Tailings Hut to the Chimney Creek Hut junction. From Tailings the track climbs over Long Spur, dropping to Boundary creek in a series of tight zigzags. A track climbing south up Long Spur leads into private Mt Ida Syndicate land. The road bridge over Boundary Creek is ling gone, but a stock bridge is present 200m upriver if you are on foot and need it. A long, initially steep ascent follows back onto the Oteake Tops. The Chimney Creek Hut turnoff is signposted 3km after you reach the first summit. The hut is 600m down the side-track.

A good 4WD track runs between Ida Railway Hut and the signposted Chimney Creek Hut junction across the flat Oteake tops. Chimney creek Hut is 600m north of the junction along a rough 4WD track.

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A good 4WD track runs between Ida Railway Hut and the signposted Chimney Creek Hut junction across the flat Oteake tops. Chimney creek Hut is 600m north of the junction along a rough 4WD track.

A good 4WD track connects Wire Yards Hut with Ida Railway Hut across the flat Oteake tops.

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A good 4WD track connects Wire Yards Hut with Ida Railway Hut across the flat Oteake tops.

A good 4WD track connects Wire Yards Hut with the main Hawkdon Range via Walking Spur.

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A good 4WD track connects Wire Yards Hut with the main Hawkdon Range via Walking Spur.

A good 4WD track runs along the summit of the Hawkdon Range, over barren rock and scree. The turnoff down Walking Spur is signposted from the ridgeline. The turnoff down Long Spur from pt1622 is not signposted, but the 4WD track dropping NE is obvious on the ground.

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A good 4WD track runs along the summit of the Hawkdon Range, over barren rock and scree. The turnoff down Walking Spur is signposted from the ridgeline. The turnoff down Long Spur from pt1622 is not signposted, but the 4WD track dropping NE is obvious on the ground.

A good 4WD track runs along the summit of the Hawkdon Range over flat scree tops. Unsignposted track junctions lead down to the head of Clear Stream from pt1857, and down Long Spur from pt1622. Both tracks are clear on the ground.

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A good 4WD track runs along the summit of the Hawkdon Range over flat scree tops. Unsignposted track junctions lead down to the head of Clear Stream from pt1857, and down Long Spur from pt1622. Both tracks are clear on the ground.

From the obvious junction of 4WD tracks at pt 1857, drop west picking up the obvious spur and following occasional remains of an old fenceline. The descent is on good rock and scree to pt1334, where a buldozed track commences, paralleling the fenceline all the way down to the Mt Ida Water Race below. Follow the waterrace south for 1km to the signposted Shepherd's Hut Creek track

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A steep long climb up an old fenceline track.

From the top of the Shepherd's Hut Creek track, follow the Mt Ida Water Race north for 1km to where a fenceline is visible descending the next spur north. Follow the track beside the fenceline east to the base of the slope and then climb it as it ascends very steeply up the spur. The gradient is relentless, but the track well defined to pt1334. Here the track and fence become vague, but you are on open rock and scree and a simple but steep climb follows up the remainder of the spur to the summit of the Hawkdon Range above.

A signposted public 4WD track runs down the south side of Shepherd's Hut Creek to Home Hills Road from the Mt Ida Water Race.

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A signposted public 4WD track runs up the south side of Shepherd's Hut Creek from Home Hills Road to the Mt Ida Water Race.

From the Shepherd's Hut Creek turnoff, Home Hills Road runs 1km further north to the junction with Hawkdon Runs Road from the west. Take Hawkdon Runs Road and ford the creek (the bridge has been destroyed). This crossing is knee deep in normal flows but is impassable after rain. 500m beyond, a set of yards mark the turnoff north up the Manuherikia to Boundary and Top Huts. To reach the Homestead campsite continue 1km west along the road to where a signpost points into a block of mature pines containing the campsite and shelter. A walking track from the homestead also connects to the track up the Manuheikia.

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From the Homestead Campsite, exit onto Hawkdon Runs Road and follow it east to the river, which must be forded (the bridge has been destroyed). This crossing is knee deep in normal flows but is impassable after rain. Follow Home Hills Road 1km south. After 1km a signpost marks the turnoff up Shepherd's Hut Creek to the Mt Ida Water Race track and for access on foot to the Hawkdon Range.

4WD track up Manuherikia west branch. Several river crossings -can flood.

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No description

4WD track up Manuherekia River (west branch). Several creek crossings.Can flood after heavy rain.

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No description

4WD track via Omarama Saddle, or route heading up the Manukerekia to the lake and climb out there.

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DOC land and legal access up/down spur to Lindis Road

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Road walk

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DOC route

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From Hideaway Biv, head NW over the low saddle into the snowy, passing the tarn on terraces to it's north/east. For those heading up the Snowy, remain high and pick up terraces 60-80m above the river on the TL (east). Otherwise, drop to the forks to head down to the Ahuriri.

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From the Snowy forks, follow the south branch 1.5km up, passing a lake on the north side and crossing a low saddle. Hideaway Biv is tucked against the eastern side of the valley beyond the saddle, across a small stream.

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Cross the Snowy at the forks - at the base of the escarpment which starts downriver of the confluence there is a good shallow spot.

Climb onto the escarpment on the true left (south) of the Snowy and follow the flats east to the start of the Snowy Gorge valley. Remain on the TL (south) to the forks with the stream draining the Hideaway Biv saddle. Follow this southern fork upstream for 200m to where good slopes provide access to terraces on the TL (east) of the Snowy Gorge 60-80m above the river.

Forks of Snowy Gorge Creek and the Ahuriri. Good crossing of Ahuriri at the forks, 100m downstream from gate. River upriver is deep and slow.

Road walk - gravel

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Standard Hut

The formed road continues almost to Canyon Creek where a gate blocks vehicular access. An old farm track continues up the valley - walking or MTB only.

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From the roadend just south of Canyon Creek a public road leads down valley passing Ahuriri Base Hut.

An old farm track continues up the valley from the roadend just south of Canyon Creel - walking or MTB only. Canyon Creek must be forded and can be impassable after heavy rain. Shamrock Hut is 4km further up the valley, located 150m west of the track on the bushedge, and is signposted.

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From Shamrock Hut the old farm track continues down the valley for 4km to Canyon Creek, which must be forded - can flood after heavy rain. The end of the public road is reached soon after.

An old 4WD track, now abandoned, leads up the valley floor from Shamrock Hut. The good track ends after 1km, but a vague track continues on the opposite river bank (east) crossing back 1km before Hagens Hut. It is also possible to continue up the western valleyside on grass and scrubby flats.

Hagens Hut is tucked in the bush. A short 4WD track climbs to the hut from the river.

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A faint 4WD track leads downriver from Hagens, crossing after 1km to the eastern bank (crossing point is poled). The route crosses back 3km downstream and the track becomes an old formed roadbed. Shamrock Hut is 1.5km further down, on the bushedge 300m from the track. A poled route leads to the hut.

If the river is up it is possibkle to ttravel all the way on the eastern bank on grass and scrubby flats.

Continue up river flats from Hagens Hut to Top Hut. Crossings are normally possible at Top Hut unless the river is very high. The grassy fan reached after 3km on the west of the valley provides access up to faces above and to Banana Tarn Pass.

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Crossing the river where possible below Top Hut, continue down grassy flats and river shingle to Hagens Hut. A large scree fan on the true right after 1.5km is the access to Banana Tarn Pass. Hagens Hut is tucked in the bush - a 4WD track leads to the hut from the river.

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Descend solid scree faces into the head of the Ahuriri and follow the valley downstream. I took the steep section to the main forks from terraces on the true left - which gave a reasonable descent, despite what it looks like on the map.

From the forks at the Ahuriri head, the valley is broad and easy going on moraine and shingle until scrub and tussock appears 2km above the hut. A vague trail - exists on terrace on the true right through this section. Crossing the river at the confluence above the hut, following grassy terraces along the bushedge led to Top Hut. Alternatively a 4WD track climbs from downriver to the hut site.

South side of V-notch holds snow late in the year.

Sidling north from the Temple-Ahuriri pass, dropping slightly as you go leads across stable screen faces below pt 2058 to the ridge just east of V-Notch pass. Drop to the pass staying on scree south of the summit rocks - I crossed some 20m east of the V notch itself.

Drop into the head basin. The creek becomes impassable, so sidle west onto good open tussock spurs. The eastern valleyside is also passable but very scrubby lower down - I don't recommend the experience.

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Climb the spur just upriver of the creek draining V-notch pass, and once on a good terrace sidle to the base of the tussock/screen face leading to the pass. Climb to the pass, wither crossing at the V-notch, or (as I did) some 20m east of it.

Once on the southern face it is possible to sidle on good steady scree below pt2058 to reach the Ahiriri-Temple pass.

Alternatively descend the gully below the V-notch into the head of the Ahuriri.

Basic Hut/bivvy

I'm informed there is avalanche risk on the track in bad conditions.

A good, marked tramping track runs up the western side of the Huxley River (north branch) to Brodrick Hut from Huxley Forks Hut. The river is crossed by swingbridge 200m upriver of Huxley Forks.

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A good, marked tramping track runs down the western side of the Huxley River (north branch) from Brodrick Hut to Huxley Forks Hut. The river is crossed by swingbridge 200m upriver of Huxley Forks.

From Brodrick Hut, follow the poled route north, crossing the first deeply scoured out creek, then ambling over tussock at about 1020m to the base of the first spur to the pass.

The poled route climbs this spur, crossing the head of the 1st creek to its east in the process. Poles give out, and are replaced by occasional cairns towards the saddle.

Once on the pass, there are no markers. Find gravel and tussock lead steeply down into the head of Mackenzie Creek, where the gradient softens and easy travel follows down the valley floor.

100m below where the valley starts to enter low scrub (as shown on the map), before it steepens to falls, a slip can be seen on the true left. A series of cairns mark a rough route up this slip, climbing 100m before reaching a small flat basin (not shown on maps) where good campspots and a small stream are found. From the campspot, the route, marked intermittently with permolat, continues to climb SW gaining another 100m to reach the main spur at about 1150m.

The marked, unmaintained track then follows the spur down (NW) between the main 2 forks on Mackenzie Creek, dropping to about 700m before cutting west down the face into the western fork of the creek below. The section of track on the spur is quite well defined, but that dropping can be easily lost.

Once in the creek, follow it downriver to the main Landsborough. Fraser Hut is found by following the bushedge upriver to Creswicke Flat, and is tucked out of sight of the river on the bushedge on a terrace on the southern bank.

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From Fraser Hut, head downriver 200m and find Mackenzie Creek. Follow this upstream for 1km to the 1st forks. The eastern fork draining Brodrick Pass has major falls in it upstream, and is not a viable route. Instead, take the western fork and look for DOC markers 200m upriver on the eastern bank marking the start of a track.

The track is vague at first, climbing to the spur, and easily lost (2011). However, once on the spur it is better defined and marked with markers of various ages. Follow the track up the spur to about 1150m, where it cuts ENE off the spur, dropping 100m to a basin below (not clear on the map). Here small flats in the beech are dotted with fire-rings marking a good campspot, with water from a small stream.

Continue east from the campspot, passing cairns marking the start of a route dropping into Mackenzie Creek down a steep slip. This route hits the valleyfloor at the bottom end of the clear upper section of the valley floor. From here, the route to the saddle is simple - head upriver on tussock, later gravel directly to Brodrick Pass.

Once over the pass, cairns mark the start of the route into the Huxley - down rocky faces cutting over the head of the 1st creek south of the pass. The now-poled track then follows the spur down to the valley floor.

Once on the valley floor, the poled track, well used, heads south at about 1020m towards Brodrick Hut. The last creek before the hut is deeply scoured out and is quite a scramble down and backup. This entire last 1km is exposed to avalanches from the peaks above in winter.

Follow the southern bank of the Landsborough downriver on broad tussock flats, crossing numerous small sidestreams. None are a problem in normal conditions but several could flood.

After 3.5km the valley narrows and travel is on steeply sloping rocky river banks (unless the river is very high n which case you'd be bushbashing the tangled faces above). 1km into the gorge, an obvious spur drops from the NW opposite, and old anchor-points mark all that remains of the former walkwire at Golden Point.

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Upriver of the former walkwire at Golden Point the Landsborough remains tight for 1km, with travel on steep rocky banks and a couple of boulder-scrambles required. Travel on the southern bank is recommended.

After 1km the valley opens to first shingle flats and later broad tussock terraces. Several sidecreeks require crossing - none are a problem in normal conditions but several could flood.

Fraser Hut (Creswicke Flat Hut) sits out of sight at the back of a terrace at the downriver end of Creswicke Flat. Follow the bushedge after crossing Mackenzie Creek to find it.

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From the former hut site in the Clarke, head upriver on the true left, climbing 100m above the river in beech forest to find terraces above the gorge. Cross the sidestream entering from the east, and follow it / the low ridge between it and the main river upstream until due south of Davies Flat. Cut east across large terraces and pick up the spur between this sidecreek and the next sidecreek upriver. This is ill-defined at first but becomes obvious as you climb. Good map/.compass work required to hit it.

A steep 500m climb through mostly good beech forest follows to reach the bushedge. From there it's another 200m of climb to pt1388 on good low tussock tops. Amazing views of the solution range as it rises from beech forest to glaciated tops, and of the main range opposite. Also clear views of the McKinnon creek and Broderick Pass opposite.

From pt1388 a narrow spur angle first SSE, later SE, dropping to the Landsborough. This was reasonable, if steep, travel throughout, first on tussock, later in open beech.

The Landsborough may be crossed at the foot of the ridge (the former swingbridge / walkwire site) under normal flows, but can become impassable after even moderate rain Travel up / down the river is generally on the southern bank so a crossing here is required.

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From the flats in the Zeilian, pick up the base of the obvious spur climbing the eastern valleyside just above the start of the gorge. This provides good, open travel 500 vertical meters to the bushedge, and a further 150 vertical meters to the ridge.

On reaching the ridge, swing uphill and follow the ridgeline over gentle, broad shattered stone until 200m south of pt1407. Amazing views are the reward - down the Clarke / Landsboro and east to the snowcappoed main divide. (2.5-5 hrs from valley to pt1407)

An obvious spur drops SE from here to the head of a flat in the Clarke. Going is good throughout, first in fine stone, then tussock, then open beech, though the ridge is narrow in places. The northern face is sheer and crumbling - don't go there!

The former hut site is on the western side of the tongue of bush on the valley below, and good campspots exist on tussock flats there, or in smaller, grassier clearings some 200m upriver. Sandflies abound.

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From Middle Head Hut, the climb up the south fork of the Moeraki is steep but straightforward. The route is up the steep rocky creekbed, and the creek is low / dry in normal conditions. On reaching the basin at the head of the valley (1.5km above the hut) the creek starts to split and the bush is replaced by thick scrub. Choosing the correct watercourse is vital. Follow the centre watercourse shown on the topomap directly towards the saddle until about 400m west of the saddle, when a good watercourse swings left (ENE) onto the northern valleyside reaching good open tussock faces. These can be sidled to the ridgeline 200m NE of the saddle. Snow chutes may persist late into summer. (2-4 hrs to saddle)

Drop to the saddle itself and pick good descents down a brief, steep tussock face into the head of the Zeillan Valley. The next 2km is a major avalanche zone in winter - with falls from both valley sides. The descent starts easy on stony avalanche debris, but after 2km tussock and scrub appear and progress slows. Scrub gets progressively thicker, until rounding the bend in the valley and swinging south, small tussock flats are encountered, below which the river disappears into a tight, bush-clad gorge. (2-4 hrs to flats from saddle)

Spectacular views lie on both sides, with the sheer, glacier-capped faces on Mts Zeilland and Monro.

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Above Horseshoe Flat Hut the Meoraki valley continues broad and boggy for a kilometer or so before finally the lower valleysides steepen to gentle slopes and the tussock and flat is replaced by drier beech forest.

The track follows the northern bank for 2km from the hut, before crossing to the south. The crossing is knee deep in normal flows, but can easily become impassable after rain. Once on the south, the track becomes rougher underfoot, but still marked and cut (2011). After a further 2km of gentle climb, the track cuts across the steep, rocky southern fork of the Moeraki (a trickle in dry conditons, but again impassible after heavy rain) and emerges onto a sloping grassy clearing at Middle Head Hut just beyond.

From Horseshoe Flats hut, the track downriver starts as a roughly poled route over tussock and flax flats and down the riverbank. Later it becomes a marked tramping track through the bush - easily followed but boggu in places. A signposted junction 200m downriver of Blowfly Hut leads to the hut via the swingbridge, or you can drop and ford the river at the hut if you prefer.

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From Blowfly Hut, return to the north bank of the river, wither by the swingbridge 200m downstream, or by wading the blue pools below the hut.

Once on the main track on the north bank of the Moeraki, follow the track upriver. The track is well marked and cut (2011) meandering through marshy flats in bush or flax, or teetering along the crumbling riverbank.

The river is slow and deep, and should you wish to cross you'd either have to swim or pick one of the few shallows.

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Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the 2nd saddle at pt515 the former roadbed sidles Docharty Creek, finding large flats above Blowfly Hut. The track eventually looses the roadbed before reaching the hut, and becomes a marked tramping track for the last few hundred meters.

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Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Mairi Saddle Hut north, the old roadbed sidles gentle down the south-eastern face of the Whakapohai valley. Just north of the saddle at pt515 (shown on the map) an old benched track branches south, climbing from the roadbed to the mica mines on Mt Clarke. The junction is obvious, but not signposted.

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Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Coppermine Creek Hut, a 4wd track recrosses the creek (fine in most conditions) and heads past a private hut across farmland and into kahikatea-dominated bush. On finally reaching the base of the hills after 2km, it swings east and starts to climb sidling the hill face. This is a former roadbed - now a benched track, and as such is gentle gradient, cut into the hillside, winding in and out of sidecreeks.

At Robinson Creek a huge washout has removed the former benched road, and a now rough track drops to the valley floor, crosses the shingle expanse to the northern bank, and zigzags steeply back to the former line of the road. The creek is crossable in normal flows, but can become impassible after heave rain,

Maori Saddle Hut lies just beyond Maori Saddle - the highpoint of the former road.

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Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted junction a poled tramping track crosses grass and scrub flats on the south side of the Mason River. The river is crossed on a swingbridge and the track follows flats up coppermine creek, eventually joining a 4WD track. The creek is crossed once - ok in normal flows. Coppermine Creek hut sits on low terraces on the northern bank, out of sight of the river. The route is poled.