Skildersgatkop East Ridge Summit
This previous easily accessible (but now somewhat more challenging with all the alien overgrowth) short and interesting trail takes you on a circuit through the beautiful (and surprising) eastern end of the Silvermine Valley and up onto the east end of Skildersgatkop ridge with a fine viewpoint overlooking the length of Fish Hoek valley.
The cache, a small cylindrical camo container, is hidden a few metres below the top.
It is recommended to combine this cache with the nearby GC1YV1E Skildersgatkop Bowl to enable completion of a fine circuit.
In the past, it was possible to make a small detour to access the track coming up from the Fish Hoek side and across the Skildersgatkop ridge to the excellent GC3B1F Snakes & Ladders. However, it seems that the 'trail' to this is very overgrown and therefore, while not impossible, may involve considerable bundu-bashing – and time!
To Reach the Cache:
a) From the Skildersgatkop Bowl Cache: (which approach starts at the Sunbird Environmental Centre): take the small valley leading SE out of the bowl starting at S 34 07.260 E 18 24.759. At S 34 07.298 E 18 24.823 head NE up the slope to a gap at the top of the ridge at S 34 07.283 E 18 24.851.
At the top of the ridge head SE to the top and cache location.
After completing formalities, head NE off the ridge in the direction of the golf course bridge near the last green passing through the rocks towards the dunes. Pass the last large rocks at S 34 07.262 E 18 24.946 (notice the fire-cracked rocks in this area) and head NW across the slope to the start of the dunes at S 34 07.238 E 18 24.935.
Head down the dunes passing through a red rock bowl (location of GC9PB0J Skildersgatkop's Disappearing Dunes) and continue to the start of a path down to the bridge at S 34 07.198 E 18 25.001.
Note: given the rampant overgrowth of alien vegetation, the viability of some or all of the above highlighted route may be in doubt. However, with appropriate care – and a little extra time – it should be possible to find a way through/down,
Cross the bridge at S 34 07.115 E 18 25.057 and head a short distance north to the jeep track.
Depending upon where you started, head left back to Sunbird Environmental Centre or right to the parking area near the golf club.
b) From the golf club: park at the large parking area past the club house at S 34 07.281 E 18 25.538. Follow the jeep track from here to S 34 07.093 E 18 25.059. Head for and cross the footbridge over the river next to the 4th green.
Then follow the above route from here in reverse. Once at the Skildersgatkop Bowl Cache, follow that route in reverse as far as the junction of the trail with the jeep track at S 34 06.879 E 18 24.636 near the river crossing. Then turn right here and head down the track back to the start.
Please note: The tick attribute for all the Skildersgatkop caches is highly appropriate - so do take the necessary precautions (eg. tucking trousers into socks, mutual grooming - if lucky enough to be with a close friend!) and do carefully check for any remaining unwanted passengers when you leave the area and when you get home!
