Vredefort Meteorite Hiking Trail
30 April to 3 May 2009
by Kevin Healey
Hikers: Ian and Jo Goddard (Leaders), Erich Hahn, Terry and Lesley Youens, Kevin Healey
I had taken a day’s leave, so I could get to Baskop, an old winery on the banks of the Vaal River just outside Parys, by noon. Ian, Jo, Erich and I were going on an afternoon walk. Terry and Lesley were only arriving at 5 p.m. That evening we braaied and went to bed around 9 p.m. – “Chairman’s bedtime”.
OFFICIAL HIKE
Friday:
We left Baskop at 8 a.m. with a walk along the banks of the Vaal River. This river is also infected with water hyacinth. We passed a small dam with many water bird species. I was in the lead, crossing an open area when I spotted, just off the path, two dead jackal pups. We think they were shot as these animals harass and kill the farmers’ livestock. This area is covered with blackjacks as we soon found out when we climbed a small koppie. A second breakfast was had and some even brewed a cup of tea.
Stiles were crossed, with the trail well marked with black and white footprint signs. This day’s walk was not very interesting, arriving at Mooihoek farmhouse at 11.30 a.m.
Mooihoek is a beautiful old farmhouse – the lounge consisted of leather settees and old wooden furniture; the kitchen contained all the old things one could see in a museum (similar to Uncle Tim’s Cabin). After lunch we took a walk of around 5km, up a hill to see the views of the “Dome”. Dark clouds were building up and as we arrived back at camp, it showered lightly.
The owners were there starting the ‘donkey’. After a couple of rounds of Trivial Pursuit, we went to bed, with comfortable mattresses and pillows, all supplied.
Saturday:
Left at 7.50 a.m. and immediately climbed a quartzite rock band. Small, lonely homesteads were dotted all around the hillside. San rock paintings were visited along the way to Deelfontein Camp. Two ridges were climbed and a dense forest entered, arriving at Deelfontein around 12 noon. This camp consists of two old, mud covered huts, with a central lapa with gas stove. Again, as the previous day, we went on an afternoon walk, this one 9km to Twane Bush Camp. On arriving at Twane, a rather tame Blesbok came towards me.
After resting and filling our water bottles, we headed home to Deelfontein. Terry and I lit the ‘donkeys’ in the respective huts. It rained again that night.
Sunday:
We left the huts and climbed a couple of koppies with fantastic views of the valleys around us. After climbing a hill, Terry and I stopped for morning tea, hoping the others were not far behind, but alas the other four took a wrong turn and ended up downhill, near the Vaal River. They eventually caught up with us. After tea, we went down the other side of the koppie, towards the Vaal and back to Baskop.
Great Friends – Good Times – Thanks to Ian for leading.
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