Led by Keryn Duncan-Smith
On Sunday 22 June, a group of 7 adults and 6 kids met bright and early at the Devil’s Peak trailhead, knowing that the earlier we started, the better. As usual, the kids bounded ahead, leaving the adults to follow. A few hundred meters up the zigzags, we turned left onto the contour path. The mountain was wet, and the kids had a blast crossing several streams.
We regrouped at the base of Oppelskop for a quick water break and a chat about the upcoming scramble to the lookout. The kids scaled the rocks in no time, motivated by the promise of snacks at the top. The lookout was surprisingly sheltered, and the kids had a great time exploring the remnants of the old structure. After enjoying hot chocolate, chips, and various other snacks, we carefully made our way along the 580m traverse towards Saddle Rock. Even though thick mist obscured the view, the towering cliff faces made for a magical experience. With such poor weather, it felt like we had the mountain all to ourselves.
As we started our descent from Saddle Rock, it began to rain. Fortunately, we were on the final downhill section of the hike. Despite getting completely soaked, everyone remained cheerful. There was no lingering at the end as parents quickly worked to get the kids warm and dry.
Photo credits: Shawn Duncan-Smith and Grant Duncan-Smith
