Distance: 4.0 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 436m to 474m. Gain: 39m. Loss: 73m . Gradient: 2 deg (Flat)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Flat (difficulty: 1/5)
Flat

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

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

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

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

It is an easy walk along clearly marked and well maintained track from the Upper Caples Hut. The track follows the wide grassy river flats on the true right of the river, with occasional tongues of beech for variety.

At the foot end of the second open flat, a confluence with Sleepy Hollow Creek marks the start of a route climbing to the picturesque Sleepy Hollow to the NE.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

An easy, well used tramping track continues up grassy terraces on the true right (SW) of the Caples. After about 3.5km it enters a second tongue of beech and soon arrives at Upper Caples Hut.