This circuit can be completed in either direction; though the description below describes taking Rush Pool Track on the uphill leg, Maungatapu Track is steeper and may in fact be preferable for some people to climb up rather than come down. From the dam car park, head along the gravel road on the other side of the gate, which climbs steadily through a block of recently-felled pine forest before gaining the top of a spur. Here, Rush Pool Track branches off to the right and continues through mineral belt scrub to the Rush Pool and a historic Maori argillite quarry. The Rush Pool was created by Maori in the 16^th century to help quarry argillite. The quarrying process involved lighting a fire beneath rock outcrops to heat them, then dousing the rock with cold water from the pool, causing shards to split and crack off. A return trip to the Rush Pool alone will take you around 2 hr 30 min. The track continues uphill, alternating between beech forest and mineral belt scrub. It is very rutted in places, and at times is literally a creek bed. You will reach a junction with Dun Saddle-Maungatapu Saddle Track at the top of Bryant Range (940 m elevation) after 2-3 hours. Turn left (north) here to continue toward Maungatapu Saddle. Dew Lakes are a short distance from the junction. While their name is somewhat misleading (‘ponds’ would be a more appropriate title), they provide a convenient place to stop for a lunch break. The track then climbs over the highest point of the circuit, Maungatapu summit (1014 m). A rocky outcrop opens among the trees and allows views across the upper Maitai catchment. The track descends from Maungatapu into a saddle and climbs again along the range through beech forest, and then descends to Maungatapu Saddle. From here it is an easy walk back down Maungatapu Track, which is a wide 4WD road all the way back to the junction next to the caretaker’s house; here you can continue straight along the road that drops down to the dam crest and leads back to both car parks. From Maungatapu Saddle you can also continue along the ridge on Saddle Hill Route (the Doubles), which climbs to the South Double (1168 m). While the distance is only 2 km, the climb is steep and challenging; allow at least an 1 hr 30 min to reach the summit.