View from Sleepkloof Hut across the relic forest
Link to detailed route page and map click on route title [route-snippet id=”258″ featured=”image”]Heuningbos Hut to Sleepkloof Hut.
From the trail description we thought that this would be the hardest day of the hike as we had to negotiate 2 saddles en route to the hut and it was described as the longest day of the trail. A saving grace was that the trails were in excellent condition with much easier footing than we expected and also the storm debris was much reduced in this area as we tended to hike through fynbos rather than forests. However there was a nasty twist in the tail with a little climb after crossing a tributary of the Storms River, up to the hut. Seemed much higher than the c. 40m shown on our map!
The first saddle we climbed up to is named Splendid Pass after a protea Mimetes splendidus. Alas none were in flower at this time of year (have seen them in the hills above Pearl Valley in Early summer and they are one of my favourite proteas) however we did see a beautiful King Protea in bloom as compensation. Very special walking through a ‘forest of fynbos’. The hike up to the saddle was a steady shallow gradient. Furthermore the descent was an unexpected pleasure as the trail was very easy to negotiate.
We were not carrying that much water, given we were concerned this would be a tough day and wanted to keep our weight down (daft!!) We were a bit worried when we came to a dry riverbed that we thought was the Wittering River and that we would need to make a litre last the rest of the day! Fortunately we then came to the river proper and were able to top up, have a break with some GORP and then deal with another blister. This time on the underside of my baby toe. Don’t normally get blisters so will get better footbeds for these boots which are fairly new.
Mike reading up on our route, whilst I bathed my feet (and terrorised the crabs)!
Bathing my feet
Then back up again to climb our last big pass of the trail. It was a gentle lead in until the last 75m through beautiful chest high fynbos. A lovely trail, but fairly warm. Very happy to spot a small stream with a mini pool below, down to which we saw a largish crab skuttle over some wet rocks. Undeterred I took off my socks and bathed my feet in the cool water – lovely. Had lunch at the summit from which we could see the hut below! A new mountain panorama opened up before us, however, we would not be visiting these mountains and I am not sure there are any trails through them. We felt very privileged to have been able to experience this small part of the Tsitsikamma mountains and forests, thanks to the hard work of the Rangers who created this trail in the 1970’s.
Hike down was along a ridge line, affording lovely views, at the end of which the trail turned back on itself into relic forest running alongside the Storms River Gorge . Magical Fern ‘maze’ banking up either side of the path – describe it this way as it was like walking through a maze. This forest was truly majestic, loved the tree fern we saw which dawarfed me!
Enjoyed our last evening in a hut on the Tsitsikamma trail, including another hot bucket shower. The following morning it was great to see the sun lighting up the ridge we had hiked down as it rose above the surrounding mountain ranges. Also spectacular seeing the early morning mist dissipate above the canopy of the forest in the gorge. Great views from the best ‘hot’ seat in town!
