28 February 2009     to     01 March 2009

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After two and a half months of no hiking due mainly to some neck problems of Silvia's, we decided to try the Barrets to Kaapsehoop trail. The first day had been changed extensively as the area towards Wattles had had some massive fires in July or August last year. As the Wattles section has been closed until the trail can be sorted out again, nobody but us was at Barrets coaches and we had the whole place to ourselves. According to the weather bureau, the weekend was supposed to have been partly cloudy...yeah right!

Here is a view across from the offices where we always parked our cars at Barrets. The whole area looked like a black desert.

In the distance one can see the houses of the forestry workers at Barrets.

The Saturday had indeed been partly cloudy for the first half. We took it easy and had quite a few stops as the route had been shortened considerably to the original.

A view into the next valley after crossing the main Kaapsehoop Barrets road.

Tucked into the forest just outside Kaapsehoop is the Kaapsehoop cemetery.

Some of the graves date back to 1886 and the first gold diggers.

As we got close to Kaapsehoop ominous clouds were building in the distance.

The village is very picturesque.

It has also become quite a tourist attraction with a whole street full of B & B's.

Just outside Kaapsehoop is the hikers hut. At about 2pm the rain started and did not stop again. The hut is very nice and has all the amenities a hiker could want, including a donkey, braai area, and washing up facilities.

It rained the whole night and Sunday.

Next morning we decided to head straight back to Barrets. The area was covered in thick mist and all the streams were flooded. It was still pouring. So much for partly cloudy...thanks weather bureau!