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Got a chance to do a one nighter with some mates this last weekend. We went up to Lakes Cave (past monster Rocks then left at the "shelter"). The trail and Cave were litter free which was nice to see. The plan had been to get some photos around the tarns in the evening light. Heavy mist, steady rain and the odd bit of thunder and lightening saw us retreat in to sleeping bags with hot chocolate instead!
By Sunday morning the rain had stopped, however, low clouds still hung over the berg and plans of capturing the early morning glow over the surrounding area were scuppered.
We walked back along the ridge above Lakes Cave, past the policeman etc and across to eSiphongweni (with great views and eland scattered across the plateau) and the paintings. We then headed down to Boundary Rock for a much needed swim (the clouds had lifted and the sun was out) and lunch break before the hour long walk back to Cobham.

The "shelter" just beyond Monster Rocks(so marked on the map) showed signs of a wood fire, with candle was adorning one ledge, otherwise - apart from one stray cigerette butt - the trails and caves were clean.

A very good weekend!

Between Nutcracker and Lakes does the trail cross on to the right side of the valley before crossing to the left again below lakes cave?

Looking at Tarn or Gxalingenwa Cave for the next one nighter, anyone have any comments about these caves?

Thanks for sharing some highlights of your last trip Errol.

Gxalingenwa Cave is very big and must be one of the most sheltered caves around. Boring view though with lots of trees growing infront. No view of High Berg from the valley. Nice walk-in along Emerald Stream and Pinnacle Rock though.

Tarn Cave is a must-do. Very roomy, fairly well protected though suspectible to wind, with a classic view of the Knuckles and the valleys below. Very interesting area with Sehlabathebe next door - if you want to photograph tarns, this is the place. Lots of interesting rock formations and shelters around, like Irish Cave.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like Tarn Cave will be far more interesting! Decided I want to try get to the Berg as often as I can this year as I didn't do much last year. Thought I'd start with the southern Berg, doing hikes over weekends, moving to the central and northern berg with time.

Hi Errol

The views from Tarn Cave are absolutely stunning !

But ito walk in, you cant beat Gx. Along a river with swimming spots. Huge boulders that belong in an Asterix comic book, and other boulders seeming as they were scattered by some God reading some other's fortune. The cave itself is sheltered, has 'a table', but low roof. A stream runs over it to one side. You can return via a descent by Fingalls Rock through the valley opposite Spectacle cave and turning left at the junction. Turning right would lead you to another of my favourites : Pholela cave.

Thanks for the input.
That sounds good too! Your description has lead to quite an amusing scene in my head, Asterix and co. running around the mountains trying to avoid magic stones flung by the hand of a witch doctor God. That's great. Maybe its only amusing in my head.
Had been looking at coming back via Fingalls Rock (saw a photo in a book -looks interesting) after a night in Gx. Stayed in Spectacle cave a while back, the plan was to head up on to Giants Cup, it didn't go to plan though - no Giants Cup. Think I saw the path heading toward Fingalls Rock from Spectacle Cave? Going to try plan some thing for mid March.