Unguided reef bay hike

inuny · Post by **inuny** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:04 pm

Planning to do the hike tomorrow. Bringing food, water. . Anything else we should know about?

loria · Post by **loria** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:19 pm

the trail is very well marked--it's not a challenging hike at all--but the way back up might be hot--and while not steep it is a steady incline, so it will be slower (unless you are in decent shape, then it's a no brainer) --there are often bats that hang out in the building at the ruins at the end--fun to look at ---
that's my two cents!--you might want to bring bug spray .......

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:53 pm

What loria says...
I'll just add that - unfortunately - the steepest part of the ascent back to Centerline occurs at the very end. We've seen folks who seem pretty fatigued as they get to the last quarter of a mile. But, if you enjoy hiking, and you've got enough water, you should be fine.

jess116000 · Post by **jess116000** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:35 pm

I agree, there seem to be no shortage of bats in the ruins! I was leisurely walking around in one of the ruins, when my husband said "look up there!" I couldnt get out of there fast enough! Ive heard snorkeling is good but we ddnt want to lug our snorkel gear around so we did not try it. Maybe next time! Have fun on the hike!!

HollyK · Post by **HollyK** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:58 pm

Ack - you've probably already gone, but wanted to add my two cents in case anyone else needs this thread.
Simply put, Reef Bay requires a massive amount of water! Really - more than you'd think. Even as relatively fit late-20 somethings, my husband and I each brought a 3 liter water "bladder" in our backpacks, plus a gallon of water, and found that we needed it ALL by the time we hiked down from Centerline and back. Everyone certainly has different hydration needs - but I'd rather overdo it a bit.

inuny · Post by **inuny** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:19 pm

My husband and I did the reef bay trail today. It wasn't as bad as we thought. We are middle aged. I'm in moderately good shape and hike frequently. Note that we hiked in early December - it wasn't too hot.m we started out at 8:30 am and it took a bit over an hr to get down to the water.

At the beginning which is the steepest, the rocks can be a bit slippery. There is no scrambling on the hike. The path widens and becomes a gentle descent as you approach the water.

The beach is very nice. We were the only ones there! We ate lunch and swam.

The ascent: this also took only about an hr 5 minutes ( on the way down we stopped to read the interpretive signs). We were soaked in sweat and stopped briefly several times. I was happy to hear the Centerlinr road noise!

Conclusion. We drank a lot, but didn't finish our water. Had this been summer, we would have used far more water. I suggest going as early as possible, particularly in summer.

Clothing- we wore our bathing suits ( mine has swim shorts) . I took off my t shirt-it was hot and sweaty. It would be better to wear quick dry shirt. The trail was well- maintained- you don't need pants.

Shoes. I wore my hiking shoes and my husband had his keens. I prefer the hikers for the stability.

Bugs- none

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:35 pm

We did the Reef Bay Hike maybe 5 or 6 years ago when I was still in my twenties and in great shape and the trip back up was downright miserable. It was the summer and it was so HOT!

But what prompted me to post was that I wanted to tell you about a funny thing that happened when we were staying at your villa in August. One day on the way home from the beach we stopped at the Maho overlook and a nice couple came up to us and asked us where they were. They said they'd started on the Reef Bay Trail and had been hiking for hours! I have no idea how they got so lost, especially considering they would have had to cross Centerline at some point. We drove them back to their car but first stopped at the villa to leave our little one with my parents b/c she needed to nap. They really liked BRB so who knows, maybe you'll get some business from them some day. They're from Atlanta.

inuny · Post by **inuny** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:30 pm

I can get lost anywhere. In fact, coming back up the reef bay trail, shortly after starting, it looked like the trail went to the left ( not to the petroglyphs). My husband said that wasn't the correct trail sowe didn't take it. Where does it lead?

I wouldn't t want to do the hike in August, particularly if I got lost. I haven't heard from anyone from Atlanta.

2muchsnow · Post by **2muchsnow** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:42 am

inuny, we did it in november with the NPS, the trail to the left might be the one that our guide said that if the seas were really rough, we would have hike up a hill and down to Genti? which is more sheltered. There is a trail that goes right about the same area as the petroglyphs that should take you to lameshur. There is a trailhead at the end of the road at lameshur, signed to reef bay, not sure if anyone ever goes this route.

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:29 pm

2muchsnow wrote:There is a trailhead at the end of the road at lameshur, signed to reef bay, not sure if anyone ever goes this route.

We've done it many times. It's an easier route to Reef Bay than walking from Centerline and back. Also, you have the opportunity to go to Europa Bay, or the Reef Bay Great House if you're coming from that direction.

2muchsnow · Post by **2muchsnow** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:35 pm

Thanks lovermont. I'll put that on the list for next time.

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:58 am

You can also go from the Cruz Bay side. Been a few but go all the way out toward Reef Bay. Think it's Reef bay road that you find the trail. By a cottage not really marked much but a few places to park. Awesome beach hike withnan ending at the ruins. Feet Fins & Fourwheels ? has the directions to get there.

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:28 am

cptnkirk wrote:Think it's Reef bay road that you find the trail. By a cottage not really marked much but a few places to park. Awesome beach hike with an ending at the ruins.

Oh... I want to try that one. We sort of looked for the cottage on our first trip, but couldn't really find it. We'll try again. Speaking of which, has anyone had any luck finding the trail from Europa Bay to Reef Bay? Gerald Singer mentions it on his blog. It's called White Cliffs, I believe. We looked for it last year. The search was aborted when I impaled my arm on a tree branch and ended up with 12 stitches, courtesy of Myrah Keating Hospital. I'd like to try to find that one again, but I dare say I'll be more careful this time!

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