Silvermine is well known
for its 100 or more caves, but there are other things to discover
in this area of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). This
walk is a starting point from which to explore the many paths
in the Silvermine area, of which there is an endless variation.
Park on the corner of Boyes Drive and Main Road, Kalk Bay and
walk up the hill towards the mountain. Take the steps next to
the TMNP signboard, Trappieskop. The peak of the same name, at
240m, is on your left.
As you climb the steps you will find *Amarayllis belladonna,
March lily, at this time of year. This bulbous, heavily scented
geophyte varies from pale to deep rose-pink and is frequent on
lower slopes.
After *20min take the path
to the right, next to Altar Rock, and ascend towards the right
of Cave Peak at 445m, appropriately named because of the many
caves, such as Boomslang, White Dome Grotto and Averous.
Towards the top of the path and 30min later, you come to large
rocks blocking your way, *scramble up these, keeping to your
left all the time. Rock scrambling has nothing to do with eggs!
It is an action of using your hands on the rock in order to ascend
to a higher, or lower, level of the mountain – a little
like climbing an uneven ladder. Always have three-point contact – two
hands and a foot on the rock, or two feet and a hand. Don’t
hug the rock. Take small steps. Try to avoid using your knees
- it doesn’t look “cool” and you have better
control on your feet.
At the top of the first pitch, keep left and climb a *crack,
this will bring you to the top of Cave Peak. Rest and enjoy views
of Chapman’s Bay and Noordhoek Beach, the site of the Kakapo
which went aground in 1900.
The name Silvermine dates back to the time of Simon van der
Stel, when he had miners dig shafts between 1675 and 1685, in
search for silver. But not one ounce of silver was discovered.
There are 67 sandstone caves in the area, including Aladdin,
Tartarus, Robin Hood, Spookgrot, Musical Drops, Devil’s
Pit and Oread Hall. It is wise to explore these caves with the
Speleological Society or someone who knows them well and please
don’t disturb the bats.
From Cave Peak take the path to the right, running parallel
to the coast, and descend to Echo Valley, on the opposite side
of Cave Peak. When you join the main Echo Valley path turn left,
uphill to Amazon Forest where there is a picnic spot.
At the head of the sandy valley you will reach a sinkhole, follow
the path around this and ascend to the Amphitheatre, 10min, a
fascinating place with indigenous trees obscuring dangerous caves.
There are a number of paths going off from the Amphitheatre
but you should take one to your right, on the seaward side of
the open area and over the top of Ridge Peak. Hopefully, you
should reach Spes Bona Valley. Turn right and descend the narrow
valley heading for the forest.
At this time of year, look out for *Haemanthus sanguineus, April
Fool which usually flowers from the end of February through March.
This leafless plant resembles a bright red paintbrush and is
found in forests. Interestingly, this plant is part of the same
family as the March lilies seen in the beginning – Amaryllidacea,
the daffodil family.
Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Silvermine and a stalwart
group of hackers (those who clear alien vegetation), the Silvermine
area is practically clear of plants that do not belong here.
This part of Silvermine has some fascinating plants which are
endemic (occurring nowhere else) plants such as Erica urna-viridis,
a straggling plant with very sticky green coloured urn-shaped
flower heads. Another interesting plant is Diastella divaricata
Peninsula silkypuff, a low-lying scrambling shrub with small
pink flowerheads. Look closely at the flower and you will see
why it is a member of the Proteaceae family. The rocks also make
Silvermine a unique area, inspiring the imagination, shaped by
south-east winds.
TMNP have done a magnificent job of path building and maintenance,
particularly evident through *Spes Bona Forest, with boardwalks
to protect the roots of ancient, and often rare, trees. Spes
Bona is a fine remnant of forest, rich in indigenous (occurring
naturally) trees, such as rooiels, Cape beech, milkwood and Podocarpus
latifolia, the only yellowwood that occurs naturally in the peninsula.
The forest ends near the bottom of the valley, 30min, and a
T-junction, turn right and follow this to a tree-shaded area
and a trickle stream known as Weary Willy’s. Notice the
trees above you. They are Brabejum stellatifolium or Wild Almond,
a member of the Proteaceae family and related to the macadamia.
Don’t think of eating the rusty-brown, velvety almonds
as they are highly poisonous, unless soaked to destroy the strychnine.
On exiting the stand of trees, turn left and from here it is a
short, easy descent back to the road on the Oukraal path.
Karen Watkins (Author of Adventure Walks & Scrambles
in the Cape Peninsula) |
