Monks Cowl into Eagle Gorge?

firephish wrote:

Hi Guys, what is currently the best route to descend into Eagle Gorge via Monks Cowl?

Looking at the old KZN Wildlife map it indicates there is an "ill defined path" from midway between Makhulumane gorge and Hlathikulu Nek down the ridge line, on the other hand the new Slingsby map shows an "ill defined path" form the head of Makhulumane gorge directly down into the gorge along gully where that small stream flows.

Anyone been there and have a view? Does it make a difference?

Slingsby one via Makhulumane woudl seem a bit shorter ...

Thanks!

Where are you aiming to get to, around the confluence of the Mhlawazni river and the Eagle gorge river?

Your options would be:
1) Up Makhulamane gorge through the forest (its a good path, and scenic, although steep in parts), then directly down into the valley ahead as you top out. No path here but its easy to navigate on grass slopes
2) Hlathikhlu Nek, and then the contouring path which takes you to the top of Makhlumane, this section is a bit boring but well worn
3) Hlathikhlu Nek, then down towards Zulu cave and Eagle cave. This section has a path in some sections but can be easy to lose

Some blue squiggles to give you an idea
 

ah yes, I see the path on the old map. This only exists right near the bottom where its marked with red lines, rather than the red dots for most of it.

This is the route I've gone previously, the one where I've kinda doubled in blue. Excuse the zigzags all over, it was a pine hike