Howick Meander 5 May 2024
En route following the sream
Panoramic view of Howick, Midmar dam and
iNhlosane mountain on the horizon
The hike around Howick and environs has been undertaken on several occasions but this time it was a little different. Symmonds Stream Conservancy has degenerated into a veritable urban jungle and was impassable until the club managed to enrol the support of Liz Taylor of Dargle Dale Kennels and who is also a member of DUCT. Liz has a team led by Alfred Zuma who did a sterling job of clearing about 50% of the original paths of the conservancy which provided 14 club members to enjoy the Midlands Meander on Sunday 5 May.
We met at Maggie’s Tea Room just off the Karkloof Road and after a group photograph we walked along the start of the conservancy for about 300m alongside Simmonds Stream.
Whilst Alfred and his team had cleared the bush and vegetation and removed a significant amount of trash there is still quite a lot of rubbish on the banks. If the conservancy is to continue it will need a lot of further work to restore it to where it was originally. Keith Ashton remembers this from over 20 years ago when you could walk the whole way for about 3 kms.
We then had to cross the stream as the original path is massively overgrown and there simply wasn’t enough time or funds to clear the next part of the path.
On to Symmonds Lane and then across an open area to rejoin the stream walk again through a densely wooded section. The variety of plants and trees is quite remarkable. Nicky Brighton who often does her “Weed Walk” along the Umgeni River would probably find the stream walk of value in terms of variety.
On the way down to the Howick Road, Eve pointed out several wild flowers and also scat from either a caracal or possibly a female leopard! Leopard in Howick? They are of course known to cover a huge area and if indeed it was a leopard it could have come from the Karkloof area where leopard siting has been noted.
Now past the High School and down to the Umgeni River walk. This is still maintained by Bill Speight and his team of volunteers and kept in great condition. Perhaps there’s a message here for the Symmonds Stream Conservancy?
The river is fairly full now but quiescent compared with the hike we had the previous year where most of the walk was under water and in parts almost to waist height for some of the shorter stalwarts. But no wetsuits required on this occasion.
We had to leave the river walk after about 2kms as to complete the full length is now not possible. At the end the short steep climb to the road has been fenced off. Is this legal – surely walkers should have the right of way with the view of Mills Falls really one the best parts of the walk. To be continued…..
Into town with about 1 hour walking through Howick’s leafy suburbs and then we had some refreshments at the Treatery with generally a good feeling about the day. 12kms in total and requests for the hike to be repeated later in the year again.
Also, a warm welcome to our new member Majozi who enjoyed his first hike with the club and who will be back for many more!
