45.
Also from the small tarn at the west end of Mt Guy a poled track descends very steeply, then down a series of cliffs and terraces to the edge of Lake Clearwater which you can ride back around to base.
Inside Ride Topo Map: BX18 Lake Clearwater. Distance 4kms to Lake Clearwater.
Day Three Lake Heron to Barrosa Station
A gravel road from Lake Heron carpark takes you around the bottom of the lake and onto a 4WD track. This heads below Lake Hill and across the Swin River, going east between the river and Harrisons Bight. You will soon find yourself back in the riverbed, which you follow due east for a couple of kilometres picking up another 4WD track, that runs below the Longman Range. This track goes straight to Double Hut, but has been washed out in places by the Swin River South Branch. It may be better to head up the Swin riverbed and hook back onto the track at the top, by-passing the hut.
The track then squeezes between the Mt Somers and Longman Range, dropping down to Seagull Lake and a great spot for lunch. The 4WD track is pretty vague in places but marked with orange topped warratahs. It continues to Manuka Lake where a short detour takes you to the six bunk Manuka Hut. This is where you pick up the Stour River. Below the Manuka Range you ford this river down a tight valley & back out onto vast open tussock flats. The track picks up speed below the Clent Hills and Mt Somers Range, fording and re-fording the west branch of the Stour River. It turns south hugging the true right bank of the Stour below rocky cliffs and gullies of native broad leaf, manuka and the odd patch of beech forest. A final section of flowing trail delivers you to the DOC car park adjacent to the Ashburton Gorge Road.
Description Trail runs over single track, open river beds and variable mountain terrain.With a bit of patience and good map reading skills, the track is suitable for all levels of rider. Suitable overnight stay at Double or Manuka Hut.
Getting There Car park is at the south end of Lake Heron, along Lake Heron Road from Hakatea. You can do it as an in-and-out trip, from either end, or a shortened version by heading in via Lake Emily. This is a turn-off two kilometres past Maori Lakes, on the way to Lake Heron.
Inside Ride Topo Map: BX19 Hakatere. Distance: 32kms. Some rivers may be hard to cross after heavy rain and strong southerlies or nor-westerly winds can make riding impossible.