The blurb said 11 km, 400m ascent, about 4 hours (without stops), and indeed it was so, except the route turned out a little differently! 14 keen hikers set out on that cool, clear, calm Sunday morning. Despite the almost-full car park, and bikers queueing to pay their entrance fees we set off without delays to ascend via the Yellowwood Trail to meet up with the Twin Traverse higher up, descending via long jeep tracks. Except, the leader’s reminder notes referred to useful signs to follow amongst the several possibilities of paths, jeep tracks and biking routes – and these were absent! So we found ourselves essentially doing the route in reverse, and at a different level! Nevertheless the slopes were green with foliage, proteas and bright yellow ericas, and the soaring peaks above were dramatic. Lively streams provided cool, sweet mountain water, and although it warmed up significantly for a winter’s day, the route was mostly in the shade, making for comfortable walking. The wide jeep tracks gave long, pleasurable chatting opportunities, of which the members made good use!
Useful notes for those wanting to know: Jonkershoek, for some time now, has been divided into 2 separate entities, separated by the elongated valley between the two. One is managed by Cape Nature, the other by MTO. For the former, Wild Cards are permitted; electronic transactions only on the MTO side. The Cape Nature website states opening times as 8:00, whereas the MTO side is already open from 6:00 in summer and 7:00 in winter, and one can access the Cape Nature side at those early times because the kiosk is open for both sides!! The road leading to the routes on the Cape Nature side is currently closed, requiring a walk-in of several kilometres before one starts the planned route, then along that same route to exit afterwards. Rather tiring and boring. The route that was chosen for 31 May is on the MTO side, which focuses more on biking, but is closer to the steep, rocky peaks.
Photos: Di Burger, Helen Hoare, Ingrid Carmichael
