Introduction
The Elsieskraal Power Walk Series of geocaches has been prepared as an educational initiative to introduce young people to two things: types of geocache hides that they will encounter in an urban environment as they start geocache activity; and to some interesting facets of Pineland history encountered along the walk. It may assist Cubs and Scouts in obtaining their geocaching badge and may also be suitable as a small-group youth activity: either school of faith based. Other geocaches (not part of the Power Walk) relevant to the Elsieskraal River and the history of Pinelands are: Elsieskraal River GC28R46; Old Pinelands GC1JJ0D; and Ventura Bomber Down GC6C2ZH. Urban Catfish GC45RZ1 also relates to the river and will provide a diversion from the Power Walk for the adventurous.
The Power Walk is a circular trail of just under 6 km along the walkway that goes along both sides of the canal. For its entire length the walk is in a proclaimed green recreational zone. The walk can be started at any point and the caches don't need to be found in any particular order. There are many convenient parking spots on the roads that run adjacent to the canal.
The Course of the Elsieskraal River
Before it Reaches Pinelands
The source of the Elsieskraal stream is on the Northeast facing slopes of the Tygerberg hills. It initiallyflows east through Maastricht, Bloemendal en Altydgedacht – three picturesque farms dating from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Altydgedacht is a fairly new name; its original name was De Tijgerbergen, which appears on the deed of grant in freehold to the widow Elsje van Surwaerden, dated 7 July 1698.
Elsje was born at the Cape on 8 May 1662, married Albert van Breughel in 1680 and after his death married Secunde Andries de Man in 1669. One of Andries' tasks was supervising the building of an outpost and kraal for 4 000 sheep in the area. When Simon van der Stel stayed over at the outpost for two days in 1688, he named the outpost "Elsje's Corael" [Elsje's Kraal].
The stream that flowed past the outstation became the Elsjescoraelrivier which in time became the Elsieskraalrivier.
After leaving Altydgedacht the stream turns dips under Jip de Jager Avenue in Doodekraal, flows through Protea Vallei and then turns to the South. It goes under the N1 highway, passes the sports field of DF Malan High School in Boston, under Tinnie Meyer road (M11) in Parow East, past the Transnet marshalling yard and the Tygerberg Hospital.
It gives its name to the suburbs of Elsies River and Riverton through which it flows. It continues past Ruiterwacht and the Grand West Casino. It flows past Thornton Station, the Jewish Cemetery, and then passses under Jan Smuts Drive (M16) to enter Pinelands as the Elsieskraal Canal. 65% of the Elsieskraal river was canalised in the early 1970’s to prevent flooding.
As It Flows Through Pinelands
Before the river was canalized it was a favourite playing area for the children of Pinelands and fish and terrapins were found in it. It also used to flood and sometimes the houses along the river had their backyards totally flooded during wet weather, which then encouraged the Municipality to canalize it. It still overflows the concrete canal during long rainy periods, but fortunately does not cause any more damage to property.
Through Pinelands the river banks are a proclaimed Green Zone and recreational area. As it flows through Pinelands it passes five schools: Pinehurst Primary, Pinelands High, Cannon's Creek, Meerendal Pre-primary, and Vista Nova High. as it exits Pinelands the river flows between the Clyde Pinelands sports fields and the King David Mowbray Golf Club. It passes through a tunnel under Settlers Way (N2) and ends its existence when it joins the Black River near Hazendal station.
