There had been a storm over the weekend into Monday, but fortunately our day dawned cool and clear. Our group of nine left Constantia Nek at 8:00 at a relaxed pace as befits Tuesdays. We had our tea break at the entrance to Hell’s Gate Kloof, off the Ring Road. Because of the recent rain the water was running well in the stream. It is a beautiful, intimate, shady little kloof and a pleasure to walk through. The few photos give an inkling of it. Previous heavy weather had caused trees to fall across the path so it was a bit messy, and the rocks we had to cross were wet and slippery after the recent rain.
Our plan was never to go all the way to Journey’s end, the official end to Hell’s Gate. We only went as far as the waterfall. To get there though, there is a section that requires some scrambling and steady footwork. A slippery ledge above a very cold pool leads to very careful progress. The waterfall was a worthwhile destination because it was flowing well.
While stopping for a snack in the sun next to a pool during our exit from the kloof, Tanja and Simone braved the 9 degree water! For the next leg we descended to the Basin, part of the Hoerikwaggo Trail, on a narrow, reasonably steep path which eased off as it approached the old pump house on the original pipeline. We lunched there, then continued along that historic pipeline, veering off to return to the cars at Constantia Nek.
In total, exactly 6 hours to enjoy the route at a relaxed pace.
Photos – Simone Burgesmeir
