Distance: 3.9 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1391m to 1659m. Gain: 319m. Loss: 128m . Gradient: 7 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

Streams (difficulty: 2/6)
Small streams, danger only in extreme weather

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

The route from Blyth Hut to South East Basin is poled. It is not necessary to climb up to the last pole at SEB. In line with the last pole, sidle left maintaining height. It's a only a short distance before Turoa Skifield car park is reached. A short drop to the car park road, follow this to connect to the Ohakune Mountain Road. A 5 minute walk down the road to connect with the RTM track on the right.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

This route saves lots of road walking on the Round the Mountain Circuit.
At the top of the Ohakune Mountain Rd where it splits, take the right-hand road toward the lower carpark. At 1600m strike out east, climbing slightly before sidling around the top of the first gully. The poled route to Blyth Hut begins at the south-west edge of South East Basin. Or gradually angle down to pick up the broad ridge leading to Blyth Hut.
The terrain is open and straightforward.