Elsie's Peak or bust!

"Just another 15 minutes to the top!" A tall tale heard frequently on today's hike across the top of Elsie's Peak, the mountain that doesn't look like a difficult climb, situated between Fish Hoek and Glencairn. The schedule said 'Elsie's Peak. Meet in car park at top of Glencairn Heights.' The mast marking the highest point was just above us, and we were lulled into a false sense of security as we set off, thinking that we must be taking an easy zigzag stroll to the beacon. Of course not!
The path trodden by our Intrepid Leader took us up to the ridge well below the peak and soon we were tramping along the soft, sandy trail in the direction of Noordhoek. Elsie's Peak disappeared from view as we went up hill and down dale, yet ever upward, stopping now and then to wonder a) where exactly we were going and b) were we still going to go back and climb up to the peak?
The weather was overcast and slightly humid, but no rain materialised and conditions were ideal. We passed familiar landmarks to either side, becoming more and more aware of how far we had walked from our destination. The fynbos was astounding and always makes even the most arduous hike a joy to the heart, and a photo opportunity is a good excuse for a breather!

Incredible nature!

We were extremely fortunate to see an owl perched on a rock at the side of the path. It gazed at us disdainfully before taking off in elegant flight to a less public roost.
We finally arrived at the beacon on Brakkloof, overlooking the sports fields between Fish Hoek and Sun Valley, painfully aware that our final destination still lay in the opposite direction. Coffee and snacks revived us and we set off on the trudge back, once more up hill and down dale, and eventually reached the base of the peak, which towered impressively before us. This is where the "Just another 15 minutes to the top!" came in, without which I'm sure there would have been a mutiny, with hikers departing in all directions as long as they were downhill. Every time we reached the 15 minute mark, we were told the same thing. Forty-five strenuous minutes later, we reached the mast. It was worth the walk. Four hours and I would estimate 8 to 10 kilometres.

 

Who knew leucospermums grew into trees?