The trail
starts from the airport road about a kilometre after turning off
the concrete road and before it begins to wind down to the dams.
A forestry
track leads right along the watershed ridge through indigenous
afro-montaine forest. After about a kilometre the trail branches
off to the left and follows a steep forested footpath until it
emerges onto the
open grassland. The pink and white balloons mark the overhead
electric cable that was laid by helicopter to prevent forest damage.
Unfortunately a recent slide covered the large iron wheels used
to wheel the sneezewood logs which formed the pylons of the old
dock which was built in 1891 and which was finally washed away
in the 1986 flood.
The change
over to grassland marks the edge of the Table Mountain sandstone.
The forest itself is on bokkeveld shale. Bear left towards the
trigonometric beacon. Notice the proteas, watsonias and other
evidence of this island of the Western Cape floral kingdom. When
the protea roupellae (large trees) are in bloom, Gurney's Sugarbird
is a common visitor. Skirt the edge of the cliffs (not too close)
past the microwave tower, wind sock and radio mast until you get
to the end of the tarmac runway. Fifty metres further takes you
to the edge with views to the Zaiu hills beyond Lusikisiki and
2 000 feet above the river surface of the Umzimvubu river. Although
often called Execution Rock, it was never used for this purpose.
Follow the
plateau edge to the next beacon. One can follow any of three ridges
down to Mpantu on the main Umtata/Port St Johns rood. It is obvious
which ridges one can follow. Towards the beacon there is a fence
line, a reminder that this was a military training area and airport.
From the beacon come back 100 metres and follow the forest edge
or grasslands down to the airport road. [A new trail is being
marked out from the beacon to the road through the forest on the
west side of the hill. From the road another trail will be marked
through the forest to the belt of gum trees.]
Follow the
road downhill past the gravel dumps and the old town dam. This
dam has three kinds of water lily and is a bird-watchers paradise.
The large amphibians are Water Leguaan, shy creatures somewhat
resembling crocodiles. Water Turtles often bask on the wall. The
road passes just below the wall, behind the target area of the
old shooting range with a view of the new dam on the right.
At the T-junction
turn left and follow the road through the plantations (never pruned
or thinned), the gum belt and wind back up to the start of the
trail.
A
view from Mount Thesiger
