This is a special concession route, with very specific conditions attached.
Last week it rained for Orange Kloof, this week the sun pulled out all stops to 34 degrees!
Sixteen brave souls met at Tweede Tol, Bain’s Kloof for an hour’s walk to the waterfall on the Wolwe River where we stayed for an hour to swim, play and have tea (see photo). Amongst the 16 hikers were 5 under-20’s and they certainly made the most of what was available. In public swimming pools jumping is usually not allowed – here the temptation at each pool had to be met.
The return route included another two main pools, each with its own attraction, including jumps, of course! In the clear mountain water we saw what seemed like a velvet-coated crab, and several very relaxed Cape Kurper (Sandelia capensis), endemic to South Africa, (see photo).
The last pool has a series of shallow potholes above it, just right for sitting in and have the water flow past your body (see photo). That was also our lunch spot, unfortunately with not much shade on this hot day.
Forty-five minutes’ walk brought us back to the cars parked at Tweede Tol. Having heated up again from the walk beside the river, we all opted for a final swim in the large deep pool across the road, at the start of the Rockhopper route.
It is true that we spent more time swimming than walking, but in the heat that was a perfect solution, to enjoy what Nature had to offer.
