Hikers:- Eugene Fichardt, Karin v Niekerk, Ian Mc Ewan (temp member, guest of Dave Barnes) Lorraine and Geoff Ditchfield, Gillian Forbes, Gonnie Houtsma, Marianne and Peter Halbsgut, (99% members) Janet and Greg Moore, Wolf Schneider, Sanet v Meersbergen, Margie Barnes. Meet leader Dave Barnes (Shadow photographer)
The Ranger who gave us permission to hike said that the forest would be wet, and it was pleasantly so, a welcome return to having trapped moisture after the dry conditions of late. Weather was cool, and we made good time to the breakfast stop before the Hoogekraal River where the Outeniqua trail meets a jeep track and there is an open clearing. At this point Geoff, Lorraine and Margie turned back and followed the jeep track to make a circular return to the start at the Beervlei hut.
The remainder of the party continued past the Hoogekraal tributary to the main river. There is a badly eroded short cut making a steep and difficult descent to the river. This is a result of walkers missing the trail where it veers off to the original and walkable descent. At this point Greg and Gillian were the only ones to make the descent as it was cold and shady. Gillian was the only happy paddler, and the only one at the end to lament that the hike was too short.
The pic above, courtesy of Eugene, shows the fern forest section in good shape after the rain.
The return was also via the route taken by Geoff, Lorraine and Margie.
Total distance was just short of 18 kilometres.
Dave Barnes – meet leader