After a weekend of heavy rain, fourteen members set off on a beautiful Cape winter’s day: a bit cool, some cloud but absolutely still. The first kilometre of the route followed the Baviaanskloof River in Hout Bay which is normally just a trickle but was a gushing torrent on the day. We easily crossed the river via the little wooden bridges on two occasions before reaching the waterfall which was flowing spectacularly. The intensity of the flow and the noise of the gushing cascade was quite exhilarating.
After leaving the river at the waterfall, the next bit was a steepish climb with some clambering over boulders and high steps until we reached intersection with the main contour path which forms part of the Peninsula’s Hoerikwagga Trail. Here we headed northwards towards Constantia Nek. This section was mostly flattish with some rises and falls, particularly where we crossed the three ravines where we had to tread carefully across the water which was gushing down the mountainside in torrents. All along the route, but this section in particular, the abundant healthy growth of the fynbos was quite inspirational and the vegetation appeared to be relishing the conditions after the good rains. Proteas (Repens,Nitida and Black Bearded), Leucadendrons, various Gladioli, Ericas, Metalasia and Oxalis, amongst many others, were all in beautiful bloom.
Just before reaching the tarred road which serves the Constantiaberg Tower – and appears quite strange on top of a mountain – we took a left turn and headed towards the peak of Skoorsteenberg, our destination for tea. Along this section we again encountered general surface water all of which was quite manageable. We started our tea break on the peak in warm sunshine but quickly ended it when a fresh breeze brought over the clouds and the cooler air. For the return trip, we followed a seldom-used diagonal path down the mountainside towards Hout Bay, with the beautiful vista of the bay and harbour surrounded by Chapmans Peak on the one side and the Karbonkelberg Mountain on the other. Once we reached lower altitudes, we entered a fairy-tale, enchanted forest where it was dark and damp with crooked, fungi-covered tree trunks. Here the path was difficult to follow because it was mostly covered with rotting leaves over the spongy, humus soil. We then crossed more wooden bridges over yet more rushing water before emerging into the sunlight and eventually closed a loop of seven kilometres when we got back to the original path alongside the river.
We eventually returned to the cars just over five hours since the start, feeling a bit weary but well satisfied with a fulfilling day’s excursion!
Credits:
Photos: Ahmed Nagdee, Sandi Gillman, Wendy Hitchcock and Di Morley
Flowers: Wendy Paisley and Wendy Hitchcock
