Partway along the Pipe Track

Date: 24 September 2011

Location: from Kloof Nek

Walkers: Helen, Ian and the dogs

Previous walks on the Pipe Track here and here.

The Pipe Track is always a good choice for a walk late in the day as it catches all the afternoon sunshine. My brother was looking after a couple of dogs for the weekend so they came along with us. The start of the trail is off Tafelberg Road, just near Kloof Nek. We led the excited hounds up the steps and along the path. Table Mountain loomed directly right above, with the upper cable station clearly visible.



Camps Bay was visible below us...



... and, as we rounded the corner, we saw the Twelve Apostles.



And flowers! There were little sprays of Geissorhiza aspera everywhere.



And also many clumps of Adenandra. Such an attractive flower!



There are a fair number of trees along the route, mostly old stone pines.



I was excited to see a clump of Lachenalia right next to the path.




Although much of the path is on the level, there are one of two places where it goes down and then up again.



It was in one of these dips that we found masses of these adorable white star-shaped flowers. I think they are Spiloxene aquatica.



They varied in size considerably: some tiny but others quite large.




Once out of the dip we got to look back at Lions Head.



But mostly our focus was on the flowers alongside the path!




I think this unusual bush is a sort of brunia.



And... a fallen giant. One the old pines has toppled over.



The dogs had a wonderful time running up and down. So much to sniff!



And while they found interesting smells we spotted more flowers. Including Aspalanthus, Wachendorfia, and Moraea...





The path does continue on for quite a way but it was time for us to turn around and head back. We all thoroughly enjoyed this walk!


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