This steep hill track begins with a short walk through the 'ancient forest', a small pocket of bush believed to be the only remnant of silver beech to escape the pre-European fires that swept through the Ashburton Gorge. Sidewinder Track then climbs steeply from the 'ancient forest' up and through the tailings of the old Blackburn Mine where it links with Miners Track to provide either a return trip back to the Woolshed Creek car park or a chance to continue on to Woolshed Creek Hut.