Mingha–Deception Route

This is a point-to-point traverse of about 24 km (14.9 miles) one way, from Greyneys Shelter on SH73 to Morrisons footbridge near Aickens Corner. It follows the Mingha River over Goat Pass at 1,070 m, then descends beside the Deception River to the West Coast road. Allow 13–14 hours on foot, usually spread over two or three days; river levels can change the pace a lot. This is an Expert-level, mostly unformed alpine route for experienced backcountry trampers with strong navigation and river-crossing skills. Arrange transport from the far end before setting out. The route is part of Te Araroa; the Coast to Coast race leg continues roughly 2–3 km beyond Greyneys to Klondyke Corner, which is not included here.

From Greyneys Shelter, cross SH73 and use the pedestrian underpass beneath the railway. Follow the vehicle track to the Bealey River; if it is too high to ford, postpone the trip, and never use the rail bridge. The lower Mingha is mostly riverbed for about an hour, with crossings as needed, before a gorge forces the route onto a marked track. It climbs above the gorge to Dudley Knob, then sidles back toward the river and Mingha Bivvy at the bushline. At Dudley Knob the valley opens north toward high ridges; pause here for the clearest view, with a strip of rocky riverbed in the frame to show the scale.

From the bivvy, marked track follows the upper Mingha toward Temple Col and Goat Pass Stream. The terrain turns to subalpine scrub and bog, with boardwalk across some wet stretches, before the route reaches the obvious pass and Goat Pass Hut just north of it.

Goat Pass is the high point of the crossing. The 20-bunk hut has no fireplace and can be extremely cold; book before relying on a bunk. A summer side trip climbs steep tussock and scree about 500 m to Lake Mavis, then follows a cairned ridge. It takes about two hours each way and needs good route-finding, so it is a separate commitment from the main route.

West of the pass, the route drops by a creek bed into the upper Deception valley. Expect boulder-hopping and scrambling among riverbed, bush and short marked sections, not a continuous constructed track. Upper Deception Hut sits low on a scrub-covered terrace shortly beyond Dorreen Creek and is easy to walk past if you are not looking for it. The valley widens lower down, but the walking remains rocky and involves repeated crossings before the route reaches Morrisons footbridge over the Ōtira River.