Back country - remote
Point to Point (one way)
Undulating, some big hills
Open tussock/grasslands
Open ridges/tops
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Technical Single Track
Untracked / Route only
Average Uphill Gradient: +10.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.7%
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Not suitable
Slow
10:30
Moderate
07:00
Fast
Follow Bush Stream to the Crooked Spur Hut (2hrs, 10km). There are multiple river crossings.
Care needs to be taken at Sawtooth Bluff, 5km from carpark. There are markers on the true right to a high water route.
The Hut is high up on a spur, 10km from the carpark. A poled route over a 1500m saddle to the Stone Hut (2hrs, 10km) and then onto the Royal hut (1hr, 6km).
The route then climbs steeply to Stag Saddle (2hrs, 4km) 1925m. There is cell phone coverage here.
It is possible in clear weather, to descend towards the ski-field via the ridge on your right. A poor weather option is in the valley poled route. A steep climb from Camp stream Hut up to Round Hill ski road (20km, 3hrs).
Classic Musterers Huts, Stag saddle (1900m) is the highest point on the Te Araroa Trail. Great views of Lake Tekapo.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Access to the carpark is at the end of Rangitata Gorge Road. Not much traffic on your way out, you will need to arrange transport from each end of the run.
74 km
1:15:00 minutes
Unknown
No
Hard.
Generally well poled except Bush Stream and Ridge-decent off Stag saddle.
Very patchy.
Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Short-sleeved thermal top, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map, Headtorch and spare batteries
There is good water available following streams on route except over Stag saddle.
Summer and Autumn best.
There are high river levels in spring due to snow thaw.
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Two Thumb Track, Rangitata to Round Hill Ski-field.
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