Lion’s Head
Since I only have a few weeks left in Cape Town, Prof. is trying to fit in as many hikes as he can before I leave. Today, after Girl and the rest of the lab finished work at 5:30pm, we hiked up Lion’s Head. It is a prominent rock outcrop on a small hill near the base of Table Mountain.
Looking up at The Lion’s Head from the trail
It was an easy hike compared to the usual mountain adventures. It had a steady grade contour path that wrapped around the hill, as well as a few rock scrambles that were necessary to tackle in order to reach the top.
Where the graded path turns into a rocky trail
View of Camps Bay and the Atlantic coast
The Water Front
Hiking along under blue skies
Girl, Constance, and Paul taking a breather
Some of the rock scrambling required the use of strategically placed ladders and chain ropes to make it up portions of the outcrop. One particular chain rope section was difficult enough that one member of our party could not/would not attempt the climb up and opted to follow a contour path to the top.
Girl making her way up one of the small ladders
Scrambling up the rocks to get to the chain rope section
Final rock scrambling section and ladder ascent before the top
We made it to the top with just enough light to get some pics of Signal Hill, Devil’s Peak, and Table Mountain and to see the sun set over the Atlantic.
Top of Lion’s Head
Signal Hill
Devil’s Peak (left) and Table Mountain (right)
Girl and me at the top of Lion’s Head while the sun is setting
Sunset over the Atlantic Ocean
Girl striking her best Superman pose
Although we were able to see the sun set over the ocean, we still had to make our way back down the hill before it got completely dark. We hurriedly scurried down the rocks as the light faded away and made our way for the trail. Hiking down was somewhat of a challenge because the lack of light affected depth perception. Luckily we were able to get through the worst part of the descent while there was still just enough light to somewhat see. We hit the contour trail as the last rays of light faded away and made our way down the path in the dark.
Cape Town at night
When we reached the bottom of the hill we ran into two Canadian backpackers who had just came down from the top and were waiting to catch a taxi downtown. Someone had incorrectly told them that there were always taxis passing by and now they were left stranded. Lucky for them, Paul and Constance had room in their car (Bob) to give them a lift into town.
We ended our adventure at a restaurant on the Water Front with a cheese burger, coke, fries, and onion rings. Can’t wait for my DP when I get back to the States.
2 comments:
Where do you find the energy to hike these trails and mountains? I wear out just looking at them. Great photos! And we're already stocking up on the DP.
Down to about 10 days, aren't you? Your body may go into shock when you get back and get some of your mom's and grandma's homecooking. Mashed taters and gravy, fried chicken...my boys love grandma's lasagna. And sounds like Mom D is stocking up on Dr. Pepper for ya.
Hope all is well...enjoy your remaining days and look forward to seeing you soon.
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