Shrub and tussockland near Waihohonu Hut. Looking east towards the Kaimanawa Ranges. Photo NC.

This vegetation is similar to that found north of Whakapapa Village and on the Mangatepopo Track (view 1), at a similar altitude (1100 - 1200 m/3609 - 3937'). Among the red tussock grow a variety of shrubs such as Hebe odora, Pimelea buxifolia, mountain toatoa (Phyllocladus alpinus), mountain inaka (Dracophyllum recurvum), and others. With increasing altitude on the way to Tama Saddle (approximately 1400 m/4593') the vegetation progressively changes to nearly pure red tussock.