Distance: 3.7 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 919m to 1440m. Gain: 701m. Loss: 186m . Gradient: 14 deg
Skills:

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

minor (5/5)
A viable route, not widely used

Unknown (difficulty: 0/5)
Not specified

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Unknown (difficulty: 0/6)
Not specified

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

From the Harkness Forks, continue up the Harkness Valley on the DOC track. Identify the correct route while continuing along the track, by looking for a spur that comprises scrub and clay pans for 100m, giving way to beech forest.

After crossing the river and gaining the spur, travel through the scrub, taking advantage of steep but easy travel through clay pans. Upon reaching the bush, continue along the spur on occasional deer trails.

Eventually, a steep bluff will be reached, which will need to be passed on the south (left) via a steep gully. From here, travel is straightforward along the tops - the true summit of Te Ruatakaikare is mound-like and the furthest away.

Enjoy the views over towards the Kaimanawa Ranges and the upper Harkness Valley.

I would be interested in the viability of one of the scrub spurs (dependent on the scrub density), but this route was generally good.

2 - 2.5 hours from the Harkness Forks to the summit.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description