Simonsberg Trail #4: High Point
(Previously called Simonsberg #2: High Point)
The cache, a small camo'ed tablet pot is hidden at the top of this rocky peak of 564m which directly overlooks Simon’s Town is the smaller brother of Swartkop (678m and the highest peak in the southern half of Cape Peninsula) from which it is separated by Blockhouse Gap. Both peaks and connecting ridges provide stunning views in all directions. The approach hike involves approximately 50 minutes steady ascent on an excellent trail and then about 30 minutes of easy and enjoyable rock hopping/scrambling up to and then along the summit ridge.
Park at the end of Jan Smuts Drive at S 34 11.964 E 18 26.909 and take the jeep track heading up the hill. Follow this around and up to the right. At S 34 12.042 E 18 26.756 on a sharp left bend turn off to the right at the signpost to start up the Blockhouse Gap Trail (aka the Mule Track). This gradually ascends across the lower slopes of Simonsberg winding and contouring its way up to the gap, passing the first blockhouse shortly before reaching the top of the gap.
At S 34 12.610 E 18 26.763 there is a 3-way signpost indicating Murdoch Valley (an alternative little used descent route), Swartkop and Mule Track. Turn right (north) here following a faint trail to start the ascent and head for the first small cairn at S 34 12.600 E 18 26.742.
From here on follow the often indistinct path but assisted by the regular small cairns (for which you would need a minimum of 100m visibility) along and generally just below the ridge on the Simon’s Town side rock-hopping and mild scrambling as necessary until (after negotiating through a small but thick grove of trees) you reach the first large stone beacon at S 34 12.507 E 18 26.563 (alt. 548m). Pass this to the left (west) and follow the trail/cairns up towards the highest point of (this part of) the summit ridge, passing the location of the Simonsberg 1: Summit Ridge (GC1T5JC) cache en route.
Assuming you are not in the clouds you will see your goal - the second beacon - some 250m to the NW. To reach there, you will need to do some mild and manageable bundu-bashing but will from time to time hopefully find the faint trail heading in the desired direction.
First, using any convenient route head for a small pine tree at S 34 12.475 E 18 26.485. Then head as directly as possible to the beacon.
The Slingsby Simon’s Town map (ISBN 1-919900-61-6) - not one of the easiest to read due to excessive shading - shows Simonsberg as having 3 high points, two at 564m and the third a trig beacon at 548m. This beacon where the cache is hidden is one of the high points of the mountain.
From here you may either:
a) return the way you came taking approx 30 minutes to reach Blockhouse Gap and a further 40 minutes or less to reach your parking place or
b) continue further NW along the ridge to the Simonsberg 3: Harbour OverView cache (GC24MJ4) which is close to the 3rd (trig) beacon.
