Mountain Biking the Quiver Tree trail
Facts
The Quiver Tree Trail is a loop trail that starts and ends at the lodge and on average takes +/- x.x hr.
Length: 5.2km
Duration: +/- x.x hours
Ascend: 180m
Please note you have to carry your bike while climbing bigger steps!
Descripton
Ride, past room 12 & 13 and slightly to the right. Turn left at the markers, up to the cliffs and follow the markers (piles of
stone) along the face of the cliff for +- xx min, running parallel with
the road – road on your right-hand side.
After that time, you will
find yourself at the entrance of the canyon on your left, this junction
is marked with 2 large cairns. The path splits here and you will see the
cairns/markers going straight on and also left into the canyon. Follow
the cairns into the canyon. The path leads alongside the dry riverbed
towards a fig tree growing out if the opposite bank. Head towards this
tree & walk into the riverbed.
In front of you will see the
fossilized remains of some algae that dominated the seabed some 555
million years ago. It is the large area of black/grey rock on the
riverbed that appears to be ripple or tubed. In the bank opposite you
can see the cross-section of these early life forms. These are called
“Thrombolites” (for more information regarding these life forms read
John Grotzingers report for the layman with is available at the lodge).
These “Thrombolites” also contain the oldest shelly fossil in the world,
known as Namacalathus or the Namagoblet.
Next you follow the
cairns/markers up the hill behind the river until you reach the saddle
and then turn left and continue following the cairns/markers upwards. As
you crest the ridge you will see your goal – the Quiver Tree Plateau –
ahead of you & slightly to your right. Remember that you are
basically riding in a loop and going to the left.
Follow the cairns
towards the plateau & eventually you will come to and old car track.
(If you turn left and follow the car track you will end up back at the
lodge), but then you’ll miss the fantastic views from the Quiver Tree
Plateau itself). Cross the car track & head up a small gully 7
following the cairns/markers again continue towards the base of the
Quiver Tree Plateau. The path takes you round the back (west-side) of
the plateau and up to a saddle between the plateau & Nell’s Hump
(large rounded hill opposite). There is a large cairn in the saddle. The
Quiver Tree Plateau is now to your left & a quick 5m scramble will
take you onto the plateau & to the tree itself where you will have a
wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.
After you have rested
at the Quiver Tree, start your homeward journey back down the saddle
& continue following the cairns towards Nell’s Hump. After +/- 150
meters you will come to a cairn with an arrow next to it. Here the path
splits into the direction of the lodge and the Sabuta trail. If you want
to return to the lodge turn left & follow the cairns that traverse
Nell’s Hump. At the other end of the hill the cairns start going left
& quiet steeply down, eventually coming out alongside an old farm
fence that runs along the ridge. Now all you have to do is following the
path back down to the lodge.
Trail suitable for:
- Leisure walk
- Hiking
- MTB
- 4x4