Chappies Contour Path Bonus #1: Wavy Rocks Traditional Cache

This is one of a series of new caches placed to encourage geocachers and their muggle hiking buddies to experience the pleasures of this stunning route across the western slopes of Constantiaberg and (south of Blackburn Kloof) the Noordhoek Ridge which lies on the western edge of the Silvermine Section of the Cape Peninsula National Park.

The surface of the rock under which the cache is hidden also has waves on it – presumably due to wind and water weathering over the years.

This classic route – a 6km trail running high above the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive from East Fort (parking) to the Chapman’s Nek access track parking north of Chapman’s Peak viewpoint* - can be completed in 2+ hours but time will need to be added to allow for locating and logging the - for now at least . . . total of 11 caches along its length. It passes through wonderful fynbos vegetation recovering nicely after the last major fire in March 2015 and has awesome mountain and Hout Bay vistas throughout.

*On the Slingsby maps, it appears that the ‘Contour Path’ actually starts at the Blackburn Kloof junction with the steep Old Fisherman’s Path from Kalk Bay coming down the kloof from Silvermine and ends to the south at Chapman’s Nek @ S 34 4.709 E 18 22.216 where it meets the trail coming up from the parking area and heading onwards and upwards to the Noordhoek ridge. It formed part of the Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Trail, a 75km, 2-5 day, 1-4 nights trail which ran from Table Mountain to Cape Point, and is no longer operational due to various issues including fire and security (see here).

Between Blackburn Kloof and the East Fort ‘corner’, there is also a higher level contour trail (with 2 caches) shown on maps as ‘Eroded Path Not Recommended’ – but still usable with care, so a ‘circular’ route is also possible using the two contours but of course missing all the caches along the actual Contour Path, south of the kloof.

Note: Parts of the trail where it contours above the deep ravines are a little narrow and edgy but mostly flat and level and as such should be easily managed – however extra care and attention should be taken along these stretches, especially with children.

To reach the cache location: park at the East Fort parking area @ S 34 3.361 E 18 21.915 and head up the gravel track a short distance to S 34 3.338 E 18 21.928 the junction with a smaller trail heading upwards. Take this up to the T-junction with another wide gravel track @ S 34 3.321 E 18 21.984. Follow this track upwards around a hair-pin bend and then onwards to this cache and all the others along the Contour Path.

At the end of the route – the parking area some 700m east of/down from Chapman’s Peak viewpoint – you can either walk the 3.5km/40 mins (downhill) back to East Fort – or better still – organise with a group to leave a car at the parking which you can then use to get back to the start. Either way (or direction, if you wish to do the route from south to north) you cannot avoid passing through the Toll Plaza @ S 34 3.815 E 18 22.392 (R45/car) twice unless you decide to proceed north from East Fort at the end of the hike (towards Hout Bay).

Contour Path Cache Sequence | north to south | as at December 2017 . . .

1. GC1ABVF CG2: East Fort (by Cape Guy 23/3/08)

2. GC2NBVW Dolphin View (by Zambesiboy 26/4/11)

3. GC7G5K3 Chappies Contour Path Bonus #1: Wavy Rocks (by SawaSawa 12/12/17)

4. GC7G5W9 Chappies Contour Path Bonus #2: Tough Old Tree (by SawaSawa 12/12/17)

5. GC173VR Beautiful Views, Stunning Scenery (by Battlerat & Pussycat 1/11/07)

6. GC2C3T5 Round The Bend (by MnCo 20/10/10)

7. GC5B0MZ Chapman's Upper Contour (by SKATTIE@1 15/8/14)

8. GC2C3VM Ferns & Moss (by MnCo 20/10/10)

9. GC7G64W Chappies Contour Path Bonus #3: Towering Cliffs (by SawaSawa 12/12/17)

10. GC7G6GK Chappies Contour Path Bonus #4: Blooming Plateau! (by SawaSawa 12/12/17)