Distance: 2.5 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 907m to 1110m. Gain: 99m. Loss: 227m . Gradient: 8 deg (Gentle)
Skills:

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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

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

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

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

From the Bull Mound turnoff the track swings south down the broad-topped Marchant Ridge Initially through a mix of stunted bush and low subalpine scrub there are views of the main range and valleys. Soon however the ridge drops into beech forest and there follows a long walk in the bush. The ridge undulates over several low mounds but this section of track is good with no major climbs.

On pt953 the turnoff down Block XVI track is marked by a signpost (Note - 2015: DOC talk of closing the Block XVI track)

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the Block XVI junction, the Southern Crossing track continues NNE along the now-broad Marchant Ridge. The ridge is less undulating here and though there are climbs over low mounds going is easy. After 2km the bush is replaced by stunted trees and subalpine scrub on Omega, and views of the ranges and valleys are the reward.

A signpost soon after Omega marks the turnoff to Bull Mound and Cone Hut.