Simonsberg and upper Simon's Town waterfall (10/10)

MCSA hike. We met at Red Hill farm at 8.30am, left some cars there, and drove to the start above Seaforth. Although distance covered was only 5.7km with 450m of climb, we were out for 7 hours, as it was largely off-path with some scrambling, and at a very easy pace.

Route description by meet leader Martyn Trainor: "Start up the mule track and then via the Baboon’s Armchair rocks to the North Peak summit of Simonsberg. Down the western slope to near the old Signal School and then on to Redhill Farm via the secret Simon’s Town Falls and associated famous pools."

The Swartkop Spiderhead (Serruria hirsuta), along the mule track path.  It only occurs on north facing slopes on this block of mountains, a few kms in extent.  Worth planning another hike along here in prime flowering time around June/July, going by the beautiful photos posted on iSpot.

At the Baboon's Armchair rocks we stopped to have a bit of fun going through the crack in the backrest slab.  Martyn here providing tips on how best to do it.

Pieter

Out the other side ..

That's the backrest slab. The seat rocks are in front of it. It is possible to identify where these rocks broke away from the main cliff high up on the mountain and came tumbling down to rest here.

Simon's Town naval dockyard. Martyn ex-Navy man has lots of interesting facts and stories to tell.  South-easter cloud forming over Kalk Bay mountains.

After some easy scrambles and a clever little move under and through the jumble of slabs and boulders we emerged on the summit of North Peak for our lunch stop. 

360 degree anticklockwise sequence starting here.

North-west: the Navy dams and a glimpse of Scarborough beach in the distance.

West: Klawer Valley military munitions depot and shooting range.

South-west: Upper Klawer Valley

South: along the ridge towards the main peak of Simonsberg.

South-east: Boulders beach  etc

North-east: Seaforth and False Bay

And back to where we started.

On the move again, picking our way down the western slopes of Simonsberg.

Red Mimetes cucullatus

At the old Signal School, the grave of Just Nuisance. I wonder if there are any other dog graves like this?

The secret pools above the upper waterfall where we immersed ourselves. Ladies pool.

Mens' pool - only just deep enough to lie down in (Martyn has alternative names for these pools!)

The Admiral's waterfall gap with one of the navy ships visible.

And more of Simon's Town. The little pimple on the mountain at right top is where we had our lunch!