Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
23 Feb 2012 14:54 #53104
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
I'm planning on taking some friends on their first overnighter in April, want to do 2 nights. One in Marbles Baths and was thinking the 2nd night in Lower Injisuthi, any other better suggestions for the 2nd night?
deszn, here is a more detailed list which may help as well, simple things like plastic bags come in very handy www.mountainbackpackers.co.za/fixtures-introduction.html
deszn, here is a more detailed list which may help as well, simple things like plastic bags come in very handy www.mountainbackpackers.co.za/fixtures-introduction.html
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28 Feb 2012 07:01 #53121
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
Welcome to the forum deszn.
Just before you drive into the camp you cross a major bridge. The usual trail to Marble Baths Cave starts immediately after the bridge and is pretty obvious. It crosses the river not far in. If there has been lots of rain, the river can be tricky and even dangerous to cross. In this case you have to use the Poacher's Stream trail to bypass that crossing, which starts just before the bridge. Get hold of a hiking map to see the relevant trails.
There are 2 caves at Marble Baths. See this thread for more info on them.
See the thread Tips for a newcomer for newbie related questions and ask more specific questions there if you have any.
See the thread Favourite hiking meals for ideas on what can be cooked.
Mosquitoes can occasionally be a pest in some caves but generally it is uncommon. Sun protection is much more important than insect repellent.
Please post more questions in the relevant threads, if you have any. Enjoy your hike and let us know how it goes!
Just before you drive into the camp you cross a major bridge. The usual trail to Marble Baths Cave starts immediately after the bridge and is pretty obvious. It crosses the river not far in. If there has been lots of rain, the river can be tricky and even dangerous to cross. In this case you have to use the Poacher's Stream trail to bypass that crossing, which starts just before the bridge. Get hold of a hiking map to see the relevant trails.
There are 2 caves at Marble Baths. See this thread for more info on them.
See the thread Tips for a newcomer for newbie related questions and ask more specific questions there if you have any.
See the thread Favourite hiking meals for ideas on what can be cooked.
Mosquitoes can occasionally be a pest in some caves but generally it is uncommon. Sun protection is much more important than insect repellent.
Please post more questions in the relevant threads, if you have any. Enjoy your hike and let us know how it goes!
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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28 Feb 2012 08:38 #53123
by tiska
Lower Injisuthi is one obvious choice - the next most obvious is Grindstone Caves which would allow a circuit rather than an out and back. The views back onto the main Berg from the top of the Little Berg above Grindstone Cave
are exceptional. If you do go for the circuit route, then the only slightly tricky bit is the first 30-40 minutes from Marble Baths were the path isn't that well defined. You cross the river at the baths and walk downstream on the bank above the river before turning the corner and walking up the next valley. The path stays lower on the river terrace than you might think, going through some woods along the way. There is a path pretty much all the way but it is easy to lose through sections of understorey where the veg has grown over the path a bit.
If you decide on LIC and Marble Baths, then I'd go to LIC first - or else to Marble Baths on the day the weather looked/was forecast to be better.
Replied by tiska on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
Smurfatefrog wrote: I'm planning on taking some friends on their first overnighter in April, want to do 2 nights. One in Marbles Baths and was thinking the 2nd night in Lower Injisuthi, any other better suggestions for the 2nd night?
Lower Injisuthi is one obvious choice - the next most obvious is Grindstone Caves which would allow a circuit rather than an out and back. The views back onto the main Berg from the top of the Little Berg above Grindstone Cave
are exceptional. If you do go for the circuit route, then the only slightly tricky bit is the first 30-40 minutes from Marble Baths were the path isn't that well defined. You cross the river at the baths and walk downstream on the bank above the river before turning the corner and walking up the next valley. The path stays lower on the river terrace than you might think, going through some woods along the way. There is a path pretty much all the way but it is easy to lose through sections of understorey where the veg has grown over the path a bit.
If you decide on LIC and Marble Baths, then I'd go to LIC first - or else to Marble Baths on the day the weather looked/was forecast to be better.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Smurfatefrog
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29 Feb 2012 16:33 #53128
by Lorenzo
Replied by Lorenzo on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
Hi deszn, The hike to Marble baths is beautifull and not hard at all(this is the Berg though,so some heavy breathing and hard work is always involved)It will take about 3 hours, so don't rush things,enjoy the views,especialy when going up Buttresfork stream. A great spot to take a breather and make a cuppa is when crossing the Injesuthi river to the right,just after taking the Marble baths turn off. Also note that there are two caves at Marble baths,the best one is reached by heading up to the obvious cave
,once inside the cave,turn left and exit. Follow the well defined path for about 50m to the next cave. There is also a spring in summer just to the left as you face the cave,otherwise it is a bit of a slog to fetch water from the river.Njoy!
,once inside the cave,turn left and exit. Follow the well defined path for about 50m to the next cave. There is also a spring in summer just to the left as you face the cave,otherwise it is a bit of a slog to fetch water from the river.Njoy!
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28 Apr 2012 18:07 #53673
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
I was quite surprised about how overgrown some of the path is, especially the first KM after crossing the Injisuthi river going up the Marble Baths valley. There were sections where the grass was over 2 metres high
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14 Jun 2016 10:37 #68817
by leeuw
Replied by leeuw on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
Hi
My first post here. Thank you for all the great info, photos and stories shared here!
Me and my fiance want to do an overnight hike in the Injisuthi are mid July. The plan is to arrive on the Friday afternoon and spend the evening in the campsite, then heading out Saturday morning early spending two nights in the berg. Returning on Monday morning to the campsite and heading home. We are both experienced and fit but we have not hiked in the area before.
Any suggestions of routes to follow and sleeping options? (We will be carrying a tent with us.)
Thank you! Anton
My first post here. Thank you for all the great info, photos and stories shared here!
Me and my fiance want to do an overnight hike in the Injisuthi are mid July. The plan is to arrive on the Friday afternoon and spend the evening in the campsite, then heading out Saturday morning early spending two nights in the berg. Returning on Monday morning to the campsite and heading home. We are both experienced and fit but we have not hiked in the area before.
Any suggestions of routes to follow and sleeping options? (We will be carrying a tent with us.)
Thank you! Anton
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14 Jun 2016 10:55 #68818
by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
Welcome to the forum Anton
Check out this thread for a really nice loop - www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/drakensberg-trips/56049-grindstone-cave-lower-injasuthi-cave-loop.html
Definitely do something using two of Grindstone, Marble Baths & Lower Injisuthi Caves, book the caves ASAP though, they are very popular. Marble Baths has a nice campsite right next to the pools as well
Check out this thread for a really nice loop - www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/drakensberg-trips/56049-grindstone-cave-lower-injasuthi-cave-loop.html
Definitely do something using two of Grindstone, Marble Baths & Lower Injisuthi Caves, book the caves ASAP though, they are very popular. Marble Baths has a nice campsite right next to the pools as well
The following user(s) said Thank You: leeuw
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14 Jun 2016 11:02 #68819
by leeuw
Replied by leeuw on topic Injisuthi hikes - 2 days
Thank you. I will check it out and book ASAP! Cheers
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