Mike's 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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

I just phoned Didima and they said it is open to the public, only 4x4, R150pp. 

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...