The Old Mule Path
The cache, a small black-taped push-top plastic tub, is hidden alongside this fine contour path running along the slopes of the east Silvermine mountains above Kalk Bay and St James with great panoramic views of the mountains and False Bay throughout.
The name of the path is ‘of doubtful historical reality’ according to Peter Slingsby whose Silvermine map covers this area. We certainly didn’t see any mules - old or otherwise – only a few ‘mountain goats’! Somewhere, I have seen the path referred to as an ‘Inspection Path’ but I don’t know for what – unless it is the view of course!
To reach the cache:
1. From the St James Ravine end: Park in the small lay-by on Boyes Drive @ S34 06.950 E18 27.512 and head up the path towards the south-west and cache location. This is an easy-going child-friendly approach which continues beyond the cache as far as Weary Willy’s trail junction (see below). From there the trail onwards and downwards has steep rocky steps before levelling out.
2. From the Ou Kraal End: Park in the small lay-by on Boyes Drive at S34 07.501 E18 26.866. Walk a few metres south to the trail-head steps by the Echo Valley SignPost. Follow the trail (Oukraal Path) along the contour then steeply upwards up the stone steps alongside the babbling brook (seasonal) to the first trail junction with a stone sign plaque at Weary Willy’s S34 07.293 E18 26.770 – a fine shady rest spot at the trail junction for Echo Valley and near where the trail crosses the stream. Turn right here heading north to the next junction with another stone sign plaque at S34 07.248 E18 26.807. Turn right again here heading East to the cache location. At this last junction you are about 130m away from the Ou Kraal Lookout cache GC1Z1YY up on the rocky outcrop to the east.
From the cache you can either return the way you came (recommended if you used the easy approach with young children) or combine the two approaches. In this case it would be worthwhile having a car waiting for you at each end, otherwise you will have an extra 2km walk along Boyes Drive which although pleasant enough is currently rather busier than usual due to diverted traffic avoiding Kalk Bay roadworks.
Congratulations to AndyT1 on the FTF!!