Distance: 1.9 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 489m to 948m. Gain: 11m. Loss: 459m . Gradient: 15 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

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 (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

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

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

From the Waingawa River signpost, follow the track as it descends steeply west to the river. Once on the valley floor the track heads upriver on flats on the eastern bank to reach the swingbridge just before the hut. Cow Creek Hut is on the opposite bank at the forks

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Cross the swingbridge at Cow Creek hut, and follow the cut, marked track down flats on the opposite bank for about 600m. The track cuts sharply east and climbs a spur to the ridgeline 400m above. The top of the climb is marked by a signpost (pointing back the way you came): Waingawa River. This is the junction of the track to Blue Range with a route from Cow Saddle to the north.
Side stream can be difficult to cross after high rain fall.