A steady gravel climb out of Hanmer Springs that takes you up into the St James Conservation Area. It's well graded most of the way, open year round, and an easy enough run for most 4WD travellers. Steep in places, but the surface is rarely more than a little bumpy.

From the pass the road links through to the Rainbow Road and on to the Molesworth Station route, so Jacks Pass works nicely either as a quick outing or the first leg of something longer into the high country. The views across the surrounding hill country are worth the climb.

Worth noting the descents are steep, so drop into a lower gear to hold your speed rather than riding the brakes the whole way down. In the cooler months you can strike snow on the upper half.