Distance: 27.1 km (30.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate-hard terrain
Altitude: 15m to 1497m. Gain: 2943m. Loss: 3145m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Prolonged scrambles (4/7) - Streams (2/6)

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

Secondary, unmapped (4/5)
Route not on maps, an alternative recognised access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Tall, walkable scrub / large rocks, occasional waterfalls or gorges in rivers

Prolonged scrambles (difficulty: 4/7)
Scramble, frequently on exposed ridges, spurs, faces

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

Good weather, visibilty and dry conditions are recomended for this route along the tops with some exposed scrambles.

Follow the Dusky Track to the first walkwire and from there the riverbed of the Bypass Stream. The first ascent goes through easy beech forest on the true right, and once the terrain levels out again, it’s possible to walk easily in the riverbed, though you’ll need to navigate around windfall every now and then. The ascent to Pt 1127 goes through easy scrub. From there, it’s also possible to take a side trip to Koinga Peak or Mt. Wilmot, or head directly to the Matterhorn. Plenty of camping spots beside tarns can be found on the range. To ascend from Pt 1210 to Mount Gladstone, you need to veer slightly to the left and climb up a slope that leads to easily navigable rock ledges (Picture 1). Once past the slide below Mount Gladstone, the route to Pt 1402 presents no major difficulties. There, you’ll encounter an exposed and steep snowgrass slope with a narrow animal track, where extreme caution is needed (Picture 2). A rope may be helpful for packlowering.
After traversing to the saddle at Pt 1302, you can either take a side trip to Pt 1539 or head straight down the small slope to the lake at 932 m, which has good camping spots all around it. On the way down to the Lake some easy bluffs might need to be negotiated (Picture 3).

From there, there are two options (Moirs Guide South S.130: Lyvia Valley Track; Mt Troup Track):

1. The easier route (no climbing, ice axe or crampons required) leads down into Lyvia Valley, where a DOC track on the true right side leads out the last kilometer to Wilmot Pass Road.

2. The more difficult route climbs the ramp and then up the steep snow grass face to Pt 1249, which is extremely exposed. On the way to Pt 1005, you must find your way down a few bluffs, and when ascending from Pt 967, head slightly left and fight a short way up through steep scrub. After crossing the scree field below Pt 1419, an ice axe and crampons are necessary to ascend the moderately steep snowfields to Mount Troup. There are good camping spots north of Pt 1265. From there, follow the slope diagonally down to the tree line, where you’ll see a DOC triangle and poles. However, caution is advised here, as the trail had to be rerouted further to the left due to a landslide several years ago. I mistakenly followed the old markers down the slope and then had to fight my way left to the DOC track, which leads steeply to the Hanging Valley Track waterfall. From there, you can follow the easy track down to the Deep Cove Hostel.

Time (estimated):
Dusky Track Start to Pt 1407: 6-8 hours
Pt 1407 to Lake at 932m: 9-11 hours
Lake at 932m to Pt 1265: 8-10 hours
Pt 1265 to Deep Cove Hostel: 3-4 hours

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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