Favorite hikes?
Favorite hikes?
What are everyones favorite hikes on St. John? Are there any hikes that take you through lush forest areas? I am not so interested in the hot, dry hikes without a lot of shade, I've heard the Ram Head trail is like this. Any suggestions for hikes to beaches? Thanks!
First trip to St. John, Feb. 15 - 23, 2008
- Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Just back from STJ and did the Ram Head hike (my 4th time) and I loved it. It wasn't too hot and dry although there are areas without shade (and it is January). We found the view to be awesome and the breeze at the top was very strong and refreshing.
I also love the sounds of the waves on Blue Cobblestone Beach and the fact that it is rocky compared to Salt Pond right next door.
We then went over to Drunk Bay and saw the "creatures" for the first time - very breezy and lots of neat creations.
Works up a sweat for a swim at Salt Pond.
Tracy
I also love the sounds of the waves on Blue Cobblestone Beach and the fact that it is rocky compared to Salt Pond right next door.
We then went over to Drunk Bay and saw the "creatures" for the first time - very breezy and lots of neat creations.
Works up a sweat for a swim at Salt Pond.
Tracy
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
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- Location: Colorado
Hi Carebare,
The Ram Head hike is not tough at all if you do it in the morning. Lots of great views even though shade is limited. When you get on top past Blue Cobblestone, there will probably be a cooling breeze.
A shady hike on the north shore is the Cinnamon Bay trail. If you do that one, I suggest you start at the bottom and go up and back down, rather than start at the top on Centerline Road.
If you're up for a long hike, the Reef Bay trail hike is mostly in shade. Many people only do the downhill part and get picked up by a boat (the ranger guided hike). Taking the spur to Genti Beach might get you a private beach (we had it all to ourselves). The hike back up will have you sweating, shade or no.
The Brown Bay trail is a pretty easy hike. We went in the morning and had Brown Bay all to ourselves for about an hour and a half.
The Ram Head hike is not tough at all if you do it in the morning. Lots of great views even though shade is limited. When you get on top past Blue Cobblestone, there will probably be a cooling breeze.
A shady hike on the north shore is the Cinnamon Bay trail. If you do that one, I suggest you start at the bottom and go up and back down, rather than start at the top on Centerline Road.
If you're up for a long hike, the Reef Bay trail hike is mostly in shade. Many people only do the downhill part and get picked up by a boat (the ranger guided hike). Taking the spur to Genti Beach might get you a private beach (we had it all to ourselves). The hike back up will have you sweating, shade or no.
The Brown Bay trail is a pretty easy hike. We went in the morning and had Brown Bay all to ourselves for about an hour and a half.
- traveler22
- Posts: 853
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:17 pm
- Location: New Jersey
Carebare-
The Lind point trail is very gradual and shaded and takes you to Honeymoon or Solomon Beach. If you go to the top of the first hill( Caneel trail?) outside of Cruz Bay, there is another trail that is steep but also shaded and leads to a split where you can also get to these two beaches. It is much more of a challenge especially on the way back up but is good for working off some of the calories from the liquid refreshment (rum) enjoyed on the beach.
The Lind point trail is very gradual and shaded and takes you to Honeymoon or Solomon Beach. If you go to the top of the first hill( Caneel trail?) outside of Cruz Bay, there is another trail that is steep but also shaded and leads to a split where you can also get to these two beaches. It is much more of a challenge especially on the way back up but is good for working off some of the calories from the liquid refreshment (rum) enjoyed on the beach.
- Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Our favorite is the Johnny Horn Trail, although much of it is kind of hot and dry. It runs from Leinster Bay over to Coral Bay with a cutoff that goes down to Brown Bay. there are stretches where you're in the trees. It comes down into Coral Bay by the Moravian Church. It's got great views, good variety and few (if any) other people on the trail. It is a demanding hike, though, and if you don't really like to hike, it would just be a lot of hard, miserable work.
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- Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 1:43 am
- Location: Western NY
I don't have a lot to add, but I did a few hikes. They all had there own neat characteristics, I'm into hiking. If your looking for a lush forest with a lot of shade type of hike, I'd recommend the reefbay hike from the road. It's been talked about to death here, but its one way down, then one way UP. It's not a bad grade, and at's 90% shaded and nice with lots of wildlife (Bob and Anita, nice pics by the way)
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"Try to preserve nature where you live, not just where you visit"
Photo's
2008 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 118102515/
2005 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 326642810/
Photo's
2008 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 118102515/
2005 http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave-a-ron ... 326642810/
I have done very few but I took the plunge in a big way with the Ram Head hike this past November. LOVED it. It was a little bit painful, but I am not what anyone would call in excellent shape.
Go early, take lots of water and enjoy!
You can find a complete, if somewhat insane, recounting in my trip report at http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... sc&start=0.
Go early, take lots of water and enjoy!
You can find a complete, if somewhat insane, recounting in my trip report at http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... sc&start=0.
Carebare - essential reading before and during your hikes (pick up a map at Jolly Dog)
http://www.trailbandit.org/
http://www.trailbandit.org/
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
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