Mike's Pass
08 Jan 2018 10:23 #72590
by WarrenM
Replied by WarrenM on topic Mikes pass
Thank you to everyone for their input.
We descended the organ pipes yesterday, it was tough going as we managed a brisk 5 hours from Rolands to didima camp, 19ks.
The weather was extremely hot and we struggled in the heat from very early in the day.
In terms of the route, by the time we got to the jeep track around the top of Mikes pass we were seriously low on water so Tony's suggestion was the only real option in hope of finding water when we hit the road.
We started the descend off the jeep track close to the weather station, which when looking back it was probably to soon, and we should have stuck on the jeep track for a bit longer and then started the descend, but some walking through nobbly grass (sorry I need to correct Dave, as icidi pass last week was bundu bashing, what we did was reasonably pleasant in comparison
), we got to a point where I expected the top of the zig zags to be and started looking for them as I could see the bend in the road so I knew we were close.
I found the zig zags easy enough by being in the right place, but they are fairly over grown with grass, once you are on them you can make them out and get down to the jeep track. When looking for the Zig Zags the day before they are visible from the top of Tryme hill.
Before we got to the drain under the road we could hear the water running through it, which was a relief as I had been out of water, thanks Tony.
The next shortcut we were going to attempt was from the jeep track, around the staff accommodation, to the river and up to Didima, but we had just seen a massive puff adder on the road very close to where we wanted to take the shortcut, and to be honest I lost my nerve to head through the grass to the river not seeing what was under foot, so we make our way down to the gate at the bottom of mikes pass and then up to Didima. There is no visible path at all between the staff accommodation and the Didima camp.
We descended the organ pipes yesterday, it was tough going as we managed a brisk 5 hours from Rolands to didima camp, 19ks.
The weather was extremely hot and we struggled in the heat from very early in the day.
In terms of the route, by the time we got to the jeep track around the top of Mikes pass we were seriously low on water so Tony's suggestion was the only real option in hope of finding water when we hit the road.
We started the descend off the jeep track close to the weather station, which when looking back it was probably to soon, and we should have stuck on the jeep track for a bit longer and then started the descend, but some walking through nobbly grass (sorry I need to correct Dave, as icidi pass last week was bundu bashing, what we did was reasonably pleasant in comparison

I found the zig zags easy enough by being in the right place, but they are fairly over grown with grass, once you are on them you can make them out and get down to the jeep track. When looking for the Zig Zags the day before they are visible from the top of Tryme hill.
Before we got to the drain under the road we could hear the water running through it, which was a relief as I had been out of water, thanks Tony.
The next shortcut we were going to attempt was from the jeep track, around the staff accommodation, to the river and up to Didima, but we had just seen a massive puff adder on the road very close to where we wanted to take the shortcut, and to be honest I lost my nerve to head through the grass to the river not seeing what was under foot, so we make our way down to the gate at the bottom of mikes pass and then up to Didima. There is no visible path at all between the staff accommodation and the Didima camp.
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18 Jan 2021 16:49 #76442
by elandman
Replied by elandman on topic Mike's Pass
Apologies for the resurrection of a 2yo dead thread 
Does anyone have any current information on Mikes Pass?
We intend to make the trip there tomorrow from Champagne Valley.
We tried phoning Didima Reception just now but they are closed for the day.
Planning our day tomorrow over the braai tonight.
Cheers

Does anyone have any current information on Mikes Pass?
We intend to make the trip there tomorrow from Champagne Valley.
We tried phoning Didima Reception just now but they are closed for the day.
Planning our day tomorrow over the braai tonight.
Cheers
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18 Jan 2021 18:05 #76443
by Grandeur
Replied by Grandeur on topic Mike's Pass
We were there last weekend and sadly a lift up Mikes Pass is a no go as it is closed.
Even if you beg and offer to throw money at the issue, it still won’t happen.
Enjoy your hike
Even if you beg and offer to throw money at the issue, it still won’t happen.
Enjoy your hike
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19 Jan 2021 00:15 #76444
by intrepid
I think the repair costs are fairly high and it doesn't look like the economy and budgets are allowing it to happen very quickly.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Mike's Pass
It's still very much a valid topic!elandman wrote: Apologies for the resurrection of a 2yo dead thread
I think the repair costs are fairly high and it doesn't look like the economy and budgets are allowing it to happen very quickly.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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19 Jan 2021 07:47 #76445
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Mike's Pass
The only vehicles allowed up Mikes Pass are research vehicles and MCSA members heading to Cambalala.
The road is a little rough at the moment, but drivable in a vehicle with highish clearance
The road is a little rough at the moment, but drivable in a vehicle with highish clearance
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29 Jan 2021 14:48 #76471
by elandman
Replied by elandman on topic Mike's Pass
Thanks all.
Yeah, Didima Office eventually answered their phone after a few days trying
Very much closed to public
But yes looking to go stay at Cambabala soon. My vehicle is a DC 4x4... so shouldn't be an issue.
Yeah, Didima Office eventually answered their phone after a few days trying

Very much closed to public

But yes looking to go stay at Cambabala soon. My vehicle is a DC 4x4... so shouldn't be an issue.
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02 Dec 2022 10:45 #78152
by Carl Gebhard
Replied by Carl Gebhard on topic Mike's Pass
Good day.
Re: Driving up Mike's to get to Cambalala for overnight booking.
Is this road (easily) doable in a small hatchback? Suppose I mean will it damage the vehicle, not recommended etc,
Car is a Ford Figo. We've done some insane things in it, but it's still a city zooter.
Thanks
Re: Driving up Mike's to get to Cambalala for overnight booking.
Is this road (easily) doable in a small hatchback? Suppose I mean will it damage the vehicle, not recommended etc,
Car is a Ford Figo. We've done some insane things in it, but it's still a city zooter.
Thanks
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02 Dec 2022 17:32 - 02 Dec 2022 17:35 #78154
by tonymarshall
Replied by tonymarshall on topic Mike's Pass
The road up is a little rough, but I observed in October that repairs had been done on the old forest track to the Nek and the old forest track to the Ndumeni River, with evidence of quite a lot of vehicle use (while doing the recent repairs), and also the Phillip's Folly and Tryme Hill paths so although I didn't use Mikes Pass I would expect similar repairs to have been done there. Not major repairs, and to a low quality, but the worst areas were attended to on the old forest tracks, and I guess Mikes Pass could have been similarly repaired. I would think you should get up and down fine in the Figo, but allow to take most of the road (some sections with rutting, some sections a bit rough) slowly and carefully. There should only be a possible problem if there has been a lot of heavy rain just before you use the road, making the steeper sections slippery, or an unforeseen rockfall/mudslide blocking the road.
Last edit: 02 Dec 2022 17:35 by tonymarshall.
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09 Jan 2023 11:15 #78252
by petroengel
Replied by petroengel on topic Mike's Pass
I just phoned Didima and they said it is open to the public, only 4x4, R150pp.
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16 Jan 2023 11:36 #78261
by RobD
Replied by RobD on topic Mike's Pass
We used Mike's Pass in December 2022. The warden will give you a lift up for R50 each if you're nice to him and arrange through Didima camp before you get there. Give him a tip...
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