Distance: 2.8 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 764m to 1464m. Gain: 706m. Loss: 6m . Gradient: 15 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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

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

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

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

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

From Upper Makaroro Hut a steep, cut track climbs Totara Spur towards the main Ruahine ridgeline. Steep at first, but easing to become a steady climb through mature beech (what Totara?). The bushedge provides relief from the gradient, and after a brief spell through leatherleaf the track emerges onto a broad marshy tussock ridge. Poles lead as far as the signposted junction with the NS main range route, on the eastern side of the tops, and stop there.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted junction at the top of Totara Spur, a poled route leads east, then SE down Totara Spur as far as the bushedge. A steep, cut, marked track starts there and drops 700m through mature beech to the river, emerging behind Upper Makaroro Hut.