Cone Hut

Waiohine Road End to Cone Hut/Cone Saddle

Time: 2-3 hours

4.23 km to Cone Saddle From Waiohine Road End and Campsite, cross the high suspension bridge over the Waiohine River. As soon as you have crossed the bridge you will reach a track junction. Take the left hand track, going down the valley. Shortly after this you reach another track junction. This time take the right hand track, leading up the hill. The track climbs the ridge steeply, ascending over 300 vertical metres. The track is a rough tramping track, so expect to be scrambling up over tree roots and loose material. The track then flattens out, coming to a high point at 572 m. The track then continues up a gentle slope along the ridge, reaching another high point at 682 m. The track then turns and follows the ridge north-west. Approximately halfway between the 682 high point and Cone Saddle, you will come to another track junction. Here you have the option to take the left hand track and descend steeply to Cone Hut. It is around 1 km down this track to Cone Hut, which is situated on a pretty terrace above the Tauwharenīkau River. Take care on the descent, as it is steep and slippery. If you are going to Cone Saddle rather than Cone Hut, continue along the main ridge track. The track descends gently before reaching Cone Saddle at 566 m. There is a four-way track junction at the saddle – from here you have the option of taking the track to Cone Ridge, or of descending to Waiohine Valley or Cone Hut (and the Tauwharenīkau Valley).

Cone Saddle to Cone Hut or Waiohine Valley

These tracks are described as part of the Holdsworth-Kaitoke Track web page .

Day two: Totara Flats Hut – Tutuwai Hut

Time: 6 hr

From Totara Flats Hut, the track continues down the Waiohine River river and across Totara flats. Before reaching a high bluff, the track swings away from the river. It climbs steeply up onto a high riverbank and then continues downstream. The track soon reaches a large slip. The only option for passing the slip is to walk downstream on the riverbank to Makaka Creek. This is only possible when the river is low; if in doubt, take the all-weather track. Cross the Makaka Creek bridge and climb up the bank to the marked junction. This is where the Cone Saddle Track separates from the Lower Waiohine Track. Turn right onto the Cone Saddle Track at the junction and climb steadily up a spur to the ridge top. From here the track sidles into Clem Creek and climbs to Cone Saddle. Descend the track to Cone Hut in the Tauwharenīkau Valley. Expect to encounter stream crossings, muddy sections and fallen trees on the Cone Saddle Track. The track can be narrow and indistinct in places, so keep a close eye on the orange markers. Allow plenty of time for this section. From Cone Hut follow the track down the Tauwharenīkau river valley. The track passes through muddy terraces and grassy flats. There are regular crossings of small side streams. Tutuwai Hut is about 1 hr walk from Cone Hut. There are grassy areas near Tutuwai Hut that are good camping sites. Campers who use hut facilities are required to pay one hut ticket

Whataroa-Perth Track junction – Scone Hut tramping track

Time: 6 hr The track climbs steeply to a large forested terrace, which is crossed in about an hour, before dropping down to the top of the gorge. Rock hop up the true left of the river to Hughes Creek. This creek quickly becomes impassable after rain so take care. After a further short boulder hop, Nolans Hut (four bunks) is reached.

Beyond Nolans Hut, the track crosses Nolans Flat, before re-entering the bush. If the river is running high there is a high-level route marked and sign-posted at the top of Nolans Flat. There are a couple of short steep bluffs before more beach travel. The track then alternates between bush terraces and boulder hopping to Scone Hut (six bunks), with several notable side creeks needing to be crossed. The entire track is on the true left of the Perth River.

Perth headwaters/Adams Wilderness Area access

Time: 30 min to end of track

To access the Perth headwaters and Adams Wilderness Area from Scone Hut, follow the track across Lower Scone swing bridge, then to Redfield swing bridge. The marked track ends approximately 200 m above the Redfield swing bridge.

Bettison Route

Time: 2 hr to bush edge

To access the Bettison Route from Scone Hut follow the track upstream over Lower Scone swing bridge to the sign-posted junction. The route then climbs through the forest to approximately 1200 m, giving access to the upper Bettison Stream and Dennistoun Pass areas. The marked route ends at the two yellow and blue deer posts. Travel beyond this point is suitable only for those experienced in alpine travel.

Waiohine Road End to Cone

From Waiohine Road End and Campsite, cross the high suspension bridge over the Waiohine River and follow the track signposted towards Cone Hut. The track climbs the ridge. Continue on, following the sign to Cone Saddle. From Cone Saddle, the track climbs to the Cone summit. Just before Cone there is a track junction, where the left-hand track leads to Neill Saddle and Neill Ridge.

Alpha Hut to Cone Hut (via Bull Mound)

Time: 3 hours

Before you leave Alpha Hut, consider whether you will be able to cross the Tauwharenīkau River safely. There is an unbridged crossing of the river shortly before Cone Hut. If it has been raining, the river may be not be passable. If this is the case, it may be better to wait in Alpha Hut or take an alternative route out (for example, exiting via Marchant Ridge down the Southern Crossing Track). Continue on the Southern Crossing track from Alpha Hut and descend from 1187 m to the saddle at Hells Gate. The track climbs from the saddle to Marchant Ridge. When you reach the top of the ridge, there is a track junction. Take the left-hand track (the Bull Mound Track) towards Bull Mound and Cone Hut. This track follows the ridge to Bull Mound (1060 m), then descends steeply into the Tauwharenīkau Valley. The track emerges into the valley on the true right of the Tauwharenīkau River, not far downstream from Cone Hut. Cross the river to the true left, where you will meet the Tauwharenīkau Track. Follow the track upstream for a short distance until you come to Cone Hut. Cone Hut is a historic hut, situated in mature forest above the Tauwharenīkau River.

Cone Hut to Waiohine Road End

Time: 2 hour 30 minutes

From Cone Hut, the track climbs towards the ridge. Soon you reach a track junction – take the right hand track leading straight up to the ridge, rather than the left hand track that follows the valley towards Cone Saddle. The track climbs steeply until it reaches the ridge and another track junction. Again, take the right hand track towards Waiohine Road End (the track you came up on), rather than going towards Cone Saddle. The track follows the ridge, then descends all the way into the Waiohine Valley. Cross the bridge over the river, then you will reach the road end.