Toaroha/Zit Saddle/Kokatahi/Lathrop Saddle/Styx River Route

Track category

Tramping track
Route

Time:

3-4 days. Times shown are a general guide only.

Description

Road-End to Cedar Flat Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hours
Follow the rough farm track and then orange triangular markers across the open flats to the start of the track leading over a low terrace to the Toaroha River. The track which initially follows an old logging tramline, exits onto the river bed and follows the true right for a further 1 km before regaining the benched track formation. On this river bed section watch out for boulders tumbling from the steep gravel faces above.

If the river is running high a sign posted flood route travels high above the gravel faces commencing some distance before the riverbed is reached. he benched route recommences 200 metres upstream from an unnamed creek then climbs steadily above the Toaroha Canyon. It descends gradually to the lower end of Cedar flat where a short rock hop and track leads to the Cedar Flat Bridge which is crossed to the Cedar Flat Huts.

There are various small hot springs a short distance up Wren Creek. These seem to alternate in hottest temperature and best output. It is a matter of sorting out the best at the time of your visit.

The newer of the huts at Cedar Flat contains 6 bunks and is heated by a hot box stove.

Cedar Flat to Adventure Ridge Bivouac

Time: 3 - 4 hours
From Cedar Flat Hut follow the short section of track to the upstream swing bridge and cross to the true right. The track to Adventure Ridge Bivouac begins between Median and Esma Creeks and is a typical West Coast ridge track climbing steeply to the alpine scrub and tussock.

Adventure Ridge Bivouac to Top Kokatahi Hut

Time: 3 - 4 hours
From the bivouac follow the track through the tussock and alpine scrub. It climbs and sidles before dropping into, crossing and climbing from a deeply cut tributary of Zit Creek. Once in the open tussock the route is marked with poles (orange triangles mounted on thin fibreglass stakes) and climbs a spur (steeply in places) directly to the ridgeline of the Toaroha Range about 500 metres north of Zit Saddle. The poles guide you directly over the ridgeline down to and across a tussock terrace before dropping steeply down a scree slope to an un-named tributary of the Kokatahi River. Follow this creek down to near its confluence with the Kokatahi. The Top Kokatahi Hut has been relocated to the site of the old bivouac just upstream of this confluence.

In misty conditions good route finding skills are required as the marker poles are difficult to see from one to the next.

Top Kokatahi Hut to Crawford Junction Hut

Time: 4 - 5 hours
From the hut travel to the confluence of the Kokatahi River and the unnamed stream from Zit Saddle. Cross the Kokatahi to pick up the cut track on the true right. The route alternates between sections of cut track and riverbed travel, crossing the Kokatahi three times before ending up on the true left above the Top Kokatahi Swing Bridge.

If the river is above normal flow crossing can be difficult to impossible. In this case it is possible to remain on the true right scrub-bashing your way to the Top Kokatahi Swing Bridge which is crossed to rejoin the track on the true left. Note that the Top Kokatahi Hut shown on current topomaps as located on the true right near the swing bridge, no longer exists at that site. It has been relocated to the Top Kokatahi Bivouac site.

From the swing bridge the track remains on the true left until the cableway is reached. Cross this cableway to the true right and continue down along river edge for 200-300 metres. About 60 metres up an un-named side stream pick up the track through the forest and follow this to Crawford Junction Hut which is sited on a low terrace overlooking the Crawford/Kokatahi confluence.

Crawford Junction Hut to Top Crawford Hut

Time: 3.5 - 4 hours
(Note: This hut has been relocated to headwaters of Crawford Creek)
From the hut follow the track off the terrace down to the Crawford Creek bed. Boulder-hop to and beyond the Crawford Creek Swing Bridge (not shown on some Topomaps). Pick up the track to Farquharson Creek. Cross Farquharson Creek and pick up the track again almost directly opposite. This track leads to the edge of Crawford Creek which is followed a short distance before the track again leaves the creek bed to climb and sidle high, bypassing the old Top Crawford Hut site.

The track continues to sidle around the hillside dropping down into Crawford Creek about 750 - 800 metres below the hut. It's best to remain on the true left all the way to the hut, which is located on a low tussock terrace a few hundred metres upstream on the true left branch of the Crawford Stream.

Farquharson Creek can be difficult to cross if in above normal flow. A good crossing place is upstream at the mouth of the gorge.

Note: Top Crawford Bivouac has been removed.

Top Crawford Hut to Browning Bivouac

Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
From the hut, travel downstream until almost at the convergence of the two branches of the Crawford Creek. Cross to the true right bank and pick up the large orange triangle and then follow the orange markers through a tussock/scrub covered gut. After some 200-300 metres the track begins to climb steeply, climbing through scrub covered bluffs until it tops out on a small terrace. From here a few poles mark the route which climbs and sidles in a north/north-easterly direction to Lathrop Saddle, sidling diagonally up and across steep scree slopes.

In the winter/spring these slopes are snow covered and because it's the shady side of the hill the slopes are often icy. Ice-axes and crampons are essential tools at these times.

Lathrop Saddle is a starkly attractive U shape with huge boulders and turquoise tarns. Marker poles from the northern end of the saddle lead the way down a steep spur to Browning Bivouac. It is easy to miss these poles in misty conditions.

Browning Bivouac to Grassy Flats Hut

Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
The track from the bivouac drops steeply down the hillside to an un-named creek feeding into the Styx River. Once in this creek travel varies between boulder hopping (very carefully on slippery boulders) and sections of track. After about 800 metres the track veers away from the creek on the true left before ultimately joining with the main valley track on the Styx river valley floor. From the track intersection it's about a 5-minute walk upstream to the Grassy Flats Hut.

Grassy Flats Hut to Styx Road-end

Time: 3.5 - 5 hours
Follow the track through the tussock flats downstream to cross to the true right near the bottom end of the flats. Follow the orange markers and pick up the old benched formation. The track remains on the true right until the road-end is reached, crossing numerous side streams on the way.

Getting there

Turn off the Kokatahi/Lake Kaniere circuit road at the sign post "Access to Toaroha Valley", cross the bridge over the Kokatahi River and follow the road as far as your vehicle will allow. Farm gates should be left as they are found. The access road finally descends a terrace edge onto the Toaroha River Flats. Permission to cross the farmland must be obtained from Terry Sheridan, telephone +64 755 7967.

Plan and prepare

Topomap: NZTopo50 - BV19 Lake Kaniere.

Experience: Suitable for fit, well equipped and experienced back-country trampers only.

Best season: Summer and autumn; snow/ice on alpine sections during winter.

Hazards: Flooded rivers and side streams; ice and snow during winter.

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.

Call at the Department of Conservation Office for the latest track conditions and to purchase your hut tickets prior to starting the trip.

Information in this guide is an indicator of conditions only. Storm damage to routes and re-growth of vegetation will slow progress and allowances must be made for possible delays through bad weather, or track damage.

Huts generally contain no cooking equipment trampers are advised to travel "self contained". A tent or fly could also be carried.

Note: True Left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when looking downstream.

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