From the Anatoki Forks hut, the track heads down the valley on the TR, crossing many unbridged side gullies (some which will be unpassable after heavy rain) before reaching Anatoki Bend, about half way to the trailhead. There are some tent sites just up from the side stream, downstream of the Bend.

From the Bend, a steep zig-zag climbs to then sidle high above the river, passing through mixed beech/podocarp forest and regenerating forest.

The track crosses through a small saddle into the head of the Go Ahead valley and descends on an old benched miners track to reach the trailhead (on a well defined but realigned track).

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the trailhead a newly (2017) aligned track crosses Go Ahead Creek and climbs on an old benched pack track to a small saddle and crosses into the Anatoki Valley. The track sidles high above the river, with occasional views, until descending steeply on a zig-zag to Anatoki Bend, passing a few tent sites just before a major side stream.
This is about half way to Anatoki Forks Hut - and the first of many side streams that would be impassable after heavy rain.

From here, it is a gradual persistent climb to the Forks Hut, crossing many side streams (and wash-aways at the time of writing).

From the Anatoki Forks hut, the track heads down the valley on the TR, crossing many unbridged side gullies (some which will be unpassable after heavy rain) before reaching Anatoki Bend, about half way to the trailhead. There are some tent sites just up from the side stream, downstream of the Bend.

From the Bend, a steep zig-zag climbs to then sidle high above the river, passing through mixed beech/podocarp forest and regenerating forest.

The track crosses through a small saddle into the head of the Go Ahead valley and descends on an old benched miners track to reach the trailhead (on a well defined but realigned track).

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the trailhead a newly (2017) aligned track crosses Go Ahead Creek and climbs on an old benched pack track to a small saddle and crosses into the Anatoki Valley. The track sidles high above the river, with occasional views, until descending steeply on a zig-zag to Anatoki Bend, passing a few tent sites just before a major side stream.
This is about half way to Anatoki Forks Hut - and the first of many side streams that would be impassable after heavy rain.

From here, it is a gradual persistent climb to the Forks Hut, crossing many side streams (and wash-aways at the time of writing).

After heading downstream from Anatoki Forks Hut for roughly 5 to 10 minutes, bash down to the river bed to the old hut site. Cross the river (at roughly grid reference 673 682), and after crossing make your way up on top of the river terrace. As with any major river, if there has been any significant rain the Anatoki River cannot be crossed safely. Once you reach the terrace, travel NNW through thick scrub until you get to the unmarked creek that begins from the saddle between points 1407 and 1348.

Stay in the creek bed for easier travel, leaving to bash up the sides at obvious points. You can sidle, but this is difficult at points due to sections of very thick scrub. I found I could stay in the bed itself for most of the travel up this stream. Roughly at the 1000m contour the staircase creek becomes waterfalls, and easier travel can be found on the true left along animal trails. Continue this up to the saddle, where you will see an obvious cairn.

This route has no markings and is seldomly used, however the creek itself is quite navigable and only your boots will get wet in normal flows.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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After heading downstream from Anatoki Forks Hut for roughly 5 to 10 minutes, bash down to the river bed to the old hut site. Cross the river (at roughly grid reference 673 682), and after crossing make your way up on top of the river terrace. As with any major river, if there has been any significant rain the Anatoki River cannot be crossed safely. Once you reach the terrace, travel NNW through thick scrub until you get to the unmarked creek that begins from the saddle between points 1407 and 1348.

Stay in the creek bed for easier travel, leaving to bash up the sides at obvious points. You can sidle, but this is difficult at points due to sections of very thick scrub. I found I could stay in the bed itself for most of the travel up this stream. Roughly at the 1000m contour the staircase creek becomes waterfalls, and easier travel can be found on the true left along animal trails. Continue this up to the saddle, where you will see an obvious cairn.

This route has no markings and is seldomly used, however the creek itself is quite navigable and only your boots will get wet in normal flows.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From the rock cairn marking the saddle, find your way up on top of the ridgeline at pt. 1407, and continue to Caesar Knob. You can follow a light animal trail along the way of the ridgeline from the cairn. Descend along the ridge north of Ambrose Creek, bush bashing the last section to the hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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From the rock cairn marking the saddle, find your way up on top of the ridgeline at pt. 1407, and continue to Caesar Knob. You can follow a light animal trail along the way of the ridgeline from the cairn. Descend along the ridge north of Ambrose Creek, bush bashing the last section to the hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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From Boulder Lake Hut continue up the valley to pick up rock cairns that lead up the only tussock spur to Green Saddle. Continue to the next small saddle before and under point 1450 metres. Here two large rock cairns on a quartz outcrop mark the first two sidles on the Anatoki side of this main ridge to the Needles Eye. The first sidle is on a cairned animal track passing under point 1450 metres, then it gains and follows the stunted bush ridge to the second sidle under points 1411 metres and 1488 metres. Descend and sidle through bush on a marked animal track to pick up cairns across a tussock face under the obvious rock ribs. This then leads to the top of the first finger of bush in a narrow gut under the Needle's Eye. Climb this flax-filled gut to the Needles Eye (saddle). From the Eye descend directly onto a short tussock spur to an obvious track and terrace that leads towards Adelaide Tarn and hut (basic hut, 4 bunks). Do not attempt to sidle from the Eye around the Needle to
the hut  -  it is steep and bluffed.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

From Boulder Lake Hut continue up the valley to pick up rock cairns that lead up the only tussock spur to Green Saddle. Continue to the next small saddle before and under point 1450 metres. Here two large rock cairns on a quartz outcrop mark the first two sidles on the Anatoki side of this main ridge to the Needles Eye. The first sidle is on a cairned animal track passing under point 1450 metres, then it gains and follows the stunted bush ridge to the second sidle under points 1411 metres and 1488 metres. Descend and sidle through bush on a marked animal track to pick up cairns across a tussock face under the obvious rock ribs. This then leads to the top of the first finger of bush in a narrow gut under the Needle's Eye. Climb this flax-filled gut to the Needles Eye (saddle). From the Eye descend directly onto a short tussock spur to an obvious track and terrace that leads towards Adelaide Tarn and hut (basic hut, 4 bunks). Do not attempt to sidle from the Eye around the Needle to
the hut  -  it is steep and bluffed.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Follow the cairns up towards Mt Douglas, and continue following these until you descend until you reach a fork in the track between the high route and low route (marked with cairns). Continue following cairns down and make your way into the stream that is marked just below Mt Douglas, that forms the headwaters of the Anatoki River. From here sticking to the true left of this stream is the typical way to go, with the odd brief crossing. We found at about the 1200m contour it was easy to lose the cairns, however the true left travel paid dividends. This section until about the 1000m contour is fairly well marked with cairns, where then lower down the cairns thin out. Stick to the true left and follow the obvious ground trails downstream, you won't need to enter the main Anatoki River at any point if you follow the trail properly.

Just downstream pt. 744 is a good campsite, marked with a frypan on a tree with 744 scratched into it. From here continue downstream until you see the obvious cairns, and cross the Anatoki. My GPX shows me crossing the Anatoki early, then drossing back. You can remain on the true left if you'd like.

Sticking to the spur provides good travel, albeit steep. Plenty of roots and trees to grab on to, and you'll find the odd cairn 'marking' the way. Just go up, the cairns mostly provide reassurance. When you breach the tree line, continue along the ridge until below the bluffs of the Drunken Sailors. Sidle below these, following the obvious cairns west, until you meet the high route track. Descend down on the true left of the stream that now forms until you reach Lonely Lake Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

Follow the cairns up towards Mt Douglas, and continue following these until you descend until you reach a fork in the track between the high route and low route (marked with cairns). Continue following cairns down and make your way into the stream that is marked just below Mt Douglas, that forms the headwaters of the Anatoki River. From here sticking to the true left of this stream is the typical way to go, with the odd brief crossing. We found at about the 1200m contour it was easy to lose the cairns, however the true left travel paid dividends. This section until about the 1000m contour is fairly well marked with cairns, where then lower down the cairns thin out. Stick to the true left and follow the obvious ground trails downstream, you won't need to enter the main Anatoki River at any point if you follow the trail properly.

Just downstream pt. 744 is a good campsite, marked with a frypan on a tree with 744 scratched into it. From here continue downstream until you see the obvious cairns, and cross the Anatoki. My GPX shows me crossing the Anatoki early, then drossing back. You can remain on the true left if you'd like.

Sticking to the spur provides good travel, albeit steep. Plenty of roots and trees to grab on to, and you'll find the odd cairn 'marking' the way. Just go up, the cairns mostly provide reassurance. When you breach the tree line, continue along the ridge until below the bluffs of the Drunken Sailors. Sidle below these, following the obvious cairns west, until you meet the high route track. Descend down on the true left of the stream that now forms until you reach Lonely Lake Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description

I've uploaded two gpx tracks that are nearly identical - this second track doesn't sidle below SH1610 (much) and doesn't include the side trip to Kakapo Peak.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

I've uploaded two gpx tracks that are nearly identical - this second track doesn't sidle below SH1610 (much) and doesn't include the side trip to Kakapo Peak.

I've uploaded two gpx tracks that are nearly identical - this second track doesn't sidle below SH1610 (much) and doesn't include the side trip to Kakapo Peak.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

I've uploaded two gpx tracks that are nearly identical - this second track doesn't sidle below SH1610 (much) and doesn't include the side trip to Kakapo Peak.

The well defined track descends steeply on an eroding track from the saddle to Fenella Hut (12 bunk, serviced hut).

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The well defined track leaves Fenella Hut and climbs, steeply towards the top, to the saddle. Allow longer for the climb than the descent.

The well defined track descends steeply on an eroding track from the saddle to Fenella Hut (12 bunk, serviced hut).

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The well defined track leaves Fenella Hut and climbs, steeply towards the top, to the saddle. Allow longer for the climb than the descent.

With a stiff climb directly away from the lake to gain the ridge as comparison, the traverse to Mt Benson is a gently rise.

From the summit, continue NW along the Lockett Range a short distance to SH1672 and a big scree then tussock descent to the base of a greywacke gendarme that forces a sidle on the left (Cobb Valley) side under SH1503. Regaining the ridge, continue to descend (perhaps with a small deviation to tarns on the left) to the 1340m contour where a bluff forces a diversion to the left, dropping into the trees before contouring around to regain the ridge in a saddle.

After climbing a knoll the track swings west then climbs again, swinging back to the north. Passing a small tarn (accessible water, usually), the track rises through a hanging valley (good camping) under Waingaro Peak to the track junction - left and down to Fenella Hut or up and right to sidle under Waingaro on the route to Lonely Lake.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the junction, follow the ridge into a hanging valley (good camping) and continue past a large cairn, descending past a small tarn. Still on an obvious footpad, climb the next knoll and, descending,swing to the left and down into a saddle - a small bluff in front of you.
The track moves into the trees on the right and climbs the side of the bluff then continues in the trees climbing (past another larger bluff) before regaining the ridge. The track follows the ridge until shortly before SH150. where it drops to the right (Cobb Valley side) and sidles under the peak and gendarme into the saddle below SH1672. The scree climb is best tackled by skirting to the right until reaching a rib and following that to the top. Continue along the tops to Mt Benson summit then take the NE ridge (over a few small rocky knobs) until you are above the clearing at the north end of Ruby Lake. Descend more or less directly to the clearing.

From Sylvester Hut, follow the track west then south to cross Lake Sylvester outlet and continue a short distance along the southern shore where an obvious footpad leads between the two Sylvesters.

The footpad continues, climbing towards Iron Lake. As the Lake comes into view, head north to it's outlet. Cross and continue a short distance around the lake, then climb the obvious gut, cairned, to the tops.

Having attained the open ridge tops, continue to the saddle south of Ruby Lake and descend (through bog and Spaniard grass) to camp on at the far side of the lake.

The attached GPX shows a sidle from the previous saddle which is OK but also involves bog and Spaniard grass - probably better to stay on the ridge as long as possible.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Heading anticlockwise, come a short way around the lake and then climb, South, to the saddle on the ridge, avoiding as much of the bog and Spaniard grass as possible (the gpx doesn't reach the ridge until the 2nd saddle and is probably not an ideal route).

Once on the ridge, follow the open tops SE to Iron Hill and look for a very obvious snow white quartz arrow marking the descent point. Follow cairns down to the outlet of Iron Lake and then the footpad leading down to Sylvester Lake. From there, the track leads around the lake, across the outlet and to the very comfortable Sylvester Hut.

The walking track parallels the Cobb Reservoir for the first km and crosses the bridged Galena Creek before beginning the climb to the tops. Zig-zaging up the steeper sections through beech forest, the gradient eases as it approaches the open tops.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

The track heads SE from Sylvester Hut and quickly enters the bush and begins to descend, the steeper sections zig-zaging until reaching Cobb Reservoir. After crossing the bridged Galena Creek, it's a flat 1km to the trailhead.