Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn. ~ John Muir
Sunday morning we headed out to Constantia Nek to hike Constantia Corner, a hike I have never done before but been longing to do it for like forever! Exhausted from my studies and work, getting up early and heading out to hike was the last thing I felt like but I knew the mountain air would be exactly what I needed. Hoping for a nice afternoon off to just relax, we set the intention to be off the mountain 1pm.
The winter rains that had been falling for the last two days were moving on and a misty cloud hovered over the higher peaks, making it perfect weather for hiking. Within minutes we were heading off to the left, up the long set of wooden steps leading up the mountain side. We had one of two routes to try and once we had spent 15 minutes on nature’s stair master we would decide which one to take.
The mist rolling over the mountain slopes made for beautiful views all on its own. There is always something so magical about hiking in the mist and knowing that when we hike this route again on a sunny day it’s going to look completely different, offering us so many different views.
Making our way up as the mist rolls over.
Misty morning wonder!
The first split in the road where we would eventually come back to…
As we reached the first split in the road we could either go off to the left and find the path leading up from there or we could continue on the natures stair master and keep heading up. We decided to stick on the path we were on and take the route at the next higher junction. It wasn’t before long we had reached the next junction and we headed off to the left to find the next path we had to take. With the recent rains the path at first was clear but soon the washed away path disappeared beneath the vegetation. We did a bit of bundu bashing where it looked like the path led but eventually trees leaning across the path, having had debris from the mountain side wash over it, began blocking the way. Climbing over and under, the path just got worse and eventually we came to a stop while trying to figure out the way forward. A few more steps forward and the path was completely unrecognisable. At this point there was just no way forward. We decided to head back to where the path split and re-read the route description. We were on the right track but the path was just no longer accessible. Little did I realise at that point, the route description I was working off was from 2010 and I guess with four years’ worth of winter rain and little foot traffic on the specific route, the path had just not survived. We had one of two choices for that point, take the easy but steep jeep track road up to the dam and be on top within 30 minutes or head back down the mountain to the lower section where we could attempt the other route.
Luckily, I have a wonderful hiking partner who is always ready to say yes and even though I desperately wanted the afternoon to just relax, I too desperately wanted to do this hike and I wasn’t ready to give up on finding the path that would take us to the top. So we headed back down to the lower path that would hopefully take us up again.
At times a light, misty rain fell on us, the view covered by the clouds and at other times it would break open and offer us glimpses of what lay below. Within a short period of time we were back on the lower path and almost back at the cars and practically starting our hike all over again!
We headed off to the side and followed the jeep track to the end, this time hoping the dead-end would give way to the promised path. There just beyond the end was a small stone path between the shrubs leading up the mountain. Happy days, we had found a path that would take us to the top!
A small rainbow as if celebrating a path we could use to get to the top.
The mist rolling over the higher peaks.
Beautiful, misty views as we climbed up.
Scrambling up the mountain.
Part views of Orange Kloof below.
Once again we found ourselves climbing up the mountain slope as light drizzle began to fall again, cooling us down. This path offered incredible views as did the previous path and when the misty clouds parted we got sneak peeks at the views of Hout Bay and the magnificent Orange Kloof below. There was quite a bit of rock scrambling adding to our adventure, rather than just hiking. Careful not to slip on the wet rocks we climbed higher and even negotiated a rocky ledge as we climbed up and over.
On top, the table top opened up before us as we made our way across.
Water logged pathways on top.
The frogs were loving this!
Shimming between rocks and swooping under trees and scrambling over rocks, we finally crested the last rock and surfaced on the top and began to make our way across the top of the mountain. We passed a rock called “Camel Rock” as it looks exactly like one and eventually between two huge rock overhangs we stopped for lunch.
The rock known as “Camel Rock”
The magic of the mist changes everything!
Living life large!
Before too long we were on our way over to the De Villiers Dam, the only sound as we walked was the whooshing of our legs brushing past the vegetation on the side of the path and if we stopped and stood in silence all we could hear was the incredible sounds of the frogs happily croaking and the birds chirping. It was beyond magical!
As we came up to the dam, the mist rolled over the black looking surface of the water, creating the beautiful portraits in nature. We stood there for a while listening to nature and watching the mist roll in over the dam.
Some more negotiating of the trail was to be had on top.
Seeing the “Overseer’s Cottage” in the distance let us know that we were near the dam.
The mist rolling in over De Villiers Dam.
We didn’t stop for too long at the dam as we were both eager to get back down. We headed down via the steep jeep track until we hit the wooden stairs leading down the slopes and headed down that way back to where our cars were parked.
Making our way down the steep jeep track.
This trail was well worth the wait and the double hike we ended up doing! It is jaw-droppingly beautiful to hike in the misty cloud and with hardly any other hikers around. The solitude and beauty of the mountain was exactly what I needed to re-energize my weary body and mind! I can’t wait to get out there and do this hike again when the weather is clear as it will offer a whole different take when the sun is shining!
There was so much beauty on the mountain that day, I couldn’t help but be grateful for a wonderful hiking partner always willing to say yes and for going the extra mile, literally!! It was exactly what the doctor ordered and even though we had double hiked parts of the hike we still managed to make it down by 1:30pm and I still managed to get the afternoon off. Bonus!
~ All Photos By Me ~
Walking4Air 