Disclaimer: This extension to the normal route is only for the more adventurous cacher. Please do not attempt this cache alone. There is no cell phone reception in the gorge should anything go wrong.
Overview
Please read the Series Methodology and overview of the Elands River Trail on the listing for the first cache in the series: Elandspad - Beat 1. I have tried not to repeat the details of the route in each listing under the assumption that you will have at least attempted (read) the previous cache by the time you get to the next one.
NB!!! The Elands River Trail falls within the Limietberg Nature Reserve and all hikers are required to book and pay for a permit & conservation fee issued by Cape Nature (Phone: 0861 CAPENATURE - 0861 2273628873) before hiking on this trail. Wild Card holders are expempt from the conservation fee. Angling on the beats described in this series is fly-fishing, and catch-and-release, only and is controlled by CPS. All beats must be booked beforehand; this ensures that the fish populations are not put under too much stress and ensures you have an undisturbed stretch of river to yourself for the day.
Waterfall Extension
An optional extension to the standard Elandsrivier hike that will lead you up the course of a small stream in a narrow gorge that ends in what must be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Western Cape. It is not particularly dangerous but the terrain is slippery and even a sprained ankle could be detrimental. At times there is no path and you will need to make your own way up the river by whatever means possible. This may require any/all of the following:
- Wading
- Fairly minor scrambles up/down slippery rocks
- Crossing exposed areas using fallen trees
So, as mentioned there is no cell phone reception in the gorge so please make sure you take someone with you (a tall person might help in more ways than one). Still keen? Good I'm glad! Here we go...
To reach the waterfall you must first follow the path upstream for a short while after Fisherman's Cave at the start of Beat 4. I'm not exactly sure how far up the left bank it goes as I'm generally fishing the beat and hence wading up the river at this point. Please do not do this as far as possible unless you are fishing and have booked the beat. I've included a waypoint which at the time of placing the cache was a convenient place to cross the river although this may change as water levels rise and fall. However you cross, aim for the 2nd waypoint where you will find the start of a very overgrown path that runs up the right hand side of the stream. Continue on this path until you reach a point just above where a smaller feeder stream coming down from the mountains joins with the Elands River (third waypoint and photo below). At this point you will need to head up to the right following the course of this feeder stream until you can go no further.
The path, starts out on the right hand side of the stream (facing upstream) leading you up past a series of mini waterfalls. Depending on the route you take, you may be required to scramble up the side of these and cross a gap making use of a fallen tree trunk (there are alternative routes at these points if you look for them). The path continues on the right until you reach a point where the stream has heavily undercut the cliff face on the right.
At this point the path pretty much ceases to exist and you will need to make your own way up the river bed. Just keep going until you reach the waterfall at the end. This will most likely require you to wade at some points so make sure you are prepared to get wet.
Please be very careful - the rocks can be extremely slippery - particularly so, the closer you get to the waterfall. In general, the rocks in the river are less slippery as the fast moving water limits the amount of algae that grows on them.
So, now that you've read where the cache is I'm sure you've probably figured out that GPS signal is virtually non-existent in the gorge... Please read below so you know where to find the cache. The cache is hidden in a large crack - in which you can stand - at the end of the cliff on the right hand side of the gorge facing upstream (between the cliff and the rocks jutting out on the right of the waterfall). You do not need to climb or endanger yourself in any way. The cache will be easily visible once you are in the right spot. However, even just the thought of getting there may just be enough to make you shiver - particularly if you attempt this in winter. I am hoping that given the type of person that would actually make it here, it will not be muggled. However, it may also become quite exposed to the elements at times so please ensure it is closed properly and safely securely to ensure it is not washed away and/or soaked after heavy rains. If either occurs then I shall have to downsize and find a better hiding place as those are rather limited for a cache this size. Lastly, please retreat into the crack before opening the cache to avoid the mist generated by the waterfall and also try to dry your hands as much as possible before handling the log book as this is a very damp area as it is. I should've placed a small hand/tea towel in the cache for this purpose but completely forgot to do so, so I would very much appreciate it if someone would place one in the cache for me.
Good luck! FTF prize for completing the series is an unactivated micro TB - message me and I'll send you the activation code.
FTF Honours go to AndyT1, Zambesiboy, Hesamati, Henzz and MnCo. Congrats!