L-R: Jacquie Kennedy**, Craig Bax, Annette van Wyk**, Janet Moore, Erica Davies, Kim Gaskell, Tim Gaskell, Janine Smith, Linda Bisset**, Ettienne and Santie de Villiers, Cheryl Devine, Greg Devine, Lyle Ownhouse**. Photo by Tony Bowen – meet leader. (**Temporary members and guests).
The party of 15 comprised a balanced mixture of “old” members, “fairly new members”, “brand new members”, “temporary members”, and “guests”. We set off from the NMMU student’s pool parking lot promptly at 7.30 a.m. and headed for the entrance to the Groeneweide forest trails. There a spanking new SanParks signboard awaited us.
We followed the Red Route and were soon crossing the sometimes-mighty Kaaimans River. Not surprisingly, it was not flowing strongly.
Further along, we encountered new signage at various strategic points, and found the path had been cleared and trimmed to perfection. Thank you to those responsible!
A side diversion path leads down to the Silver River, where we cooled off and took a tea break.
A sub-party went further down to explore lower pools, turning back at the cave and waterfall.
Note: This is a grade 3 scramble section, with exposure.
Now the heat and humidity became intense, and the party elected to return via the shortest route – retracing steps along the Red route.
13 km round trip, concluded at 2 p.m.
Meet Leader ~Tony Bowen