Thread: Head of North Branch Ashburton walk in access advice sought

The area upstream of Comyns hut, beyond Round Hill Ck.
Is that a gorge or can you just walk up the stream bed ?

It looks as if there might be a gravel saddle route from around Turtle saddle into the head but can you walk right down it ?
Is there a way through the knarrly contours back onto the Te Araroa trail ?

I would be grateful for any advice / warnings / tall tales.

Here's a map: