Day 2 – Perry Saddle Hut to James Mckay Hut 

The track slowly meanders at an easy gradient firstly through stunted manuka and then beech forest and crossing several small side creeks (one is bridged). After 90 minutes of walking beech forest ends and there is a small stopping point where great views of the Gouland Downs unfold. The track then enters the Gouland Downs with the dominant feature featuring the Boot Pole near Cave Brook.

Gouland Downs Hut is another 30 minutes away which is on the edge of a small finger of beech. The blue duck nesting programe is also in the Cave Brook area. The Gouland Downs Hut has a toilet, running water but no gas. This is a good place to meet up and have a snack before continuing.

After re-entering the Downs, there are two medium sized creeks (Shiner Brook and Big River) both bridged with suspension bridges. The track begins to ascend and Saxon Hut is reached on the western side of the Gouland Downs (this is 60-90 minutes or 5km from the Gouland Downs hut). There are flush toilets, water and gas available at the hut.

The track then descends through mountain and black beech to the Saxon River flats and then starts ascending Mt Teddy and the beech forest is entered again. After 60 minutes of gradual climbing, the Mackay Downs are reached and the track becomes flat with a slight downhill gradient in other areas.

Along the Mackay Downs, the Karamea granite is encountered – this is a pink rock with black and white fleck throughout. The black fleck is mica and the white fleck is quartz. From the start of the Mackay Downs to James Mackay Hut is 60-90 minutes. James Mackay Hut is slightly elevated from the track – this hut has gas, two flush toilets, coal and running water.