USVI-On-Line

Hi!

Writing from first trip to St. John. Have really enjoyed reading the forum over the last few weeks. Thanks!

I want to visit Drunk Bay. Found the sign and the red pond (was told the sand is spa magic for your skin - true, or locals pulling tourists' legs for giggles?), but absolutely no trail. Is it typically along the left side, right on the shore? Explored all around and couldn't find any trail. Made an attempt to walk through the forested area, but was attacked by a swarm of angry and relentless bugs. Thought maybe the trail could be flooded out from the rains last week, but a bartender last night told us she was out there just three or four days ago. Any ideas?? Enjoyed Salt Pond Bay Beach at any rate!

Thanks for any guidance you can give.

~ E

I was told, on Sunday, that it was impassable. We're trying on Friday to see if we can make it out there...

This was the path about two years ago.

Watching for an answer, as we wanted to do Drunk Bay as well when we're down for the next 2 weeks... kids will not be fond of angry swarms of bugs in dense brush!

From what I recall, you head straight back behind the sign, and there's an obvious path/trail that is narrow but again, obvious. It does run parallel to the salt pond, but not right along it's shore. You'd have to jump down to the shore line, from the path...it's elevated some.
It's worth waiting for the water to recede, and try to find the path again, to see Drunk Bay.
Enjoy!

Thanks for the replies. We are going to give it another shot tomorrow. Definitely did not see any trail like that! Maybe the water will have receded now. I will report back (maybe even with some photos so you can see what I am talking about).

kids tried to go there today, the salt pond is so high it covers the path!! Many large hermit crabs scrabbling under every bush. Very impassable and many nasty skeeters.

I was there on Sunday with the intent to go over to Drunk Bay. You take the path from the Salt Pond Bay beach up a little rise, then down to the water's edge at Salt Pond. Before the heavy rains, the path to Drunk Bay began right at waters edge at Salt Pond (not the Bay) On Sunday, the water was at least 18", maybe 2 feet over the path along waters edge. Like others I looked for a way back through the brush and bushes to the trail after it leaves the Salt Pond waters edge, but it was simply too thick, since I did not have my machete.

Also, any of you who have been over there since the rains will notice there is no salt accumulation at this time due to the high water, but I can imagine this fall will yield a bumper harvest of salt.

I'd love to see a pic of what it looks like over there now. If it's flooded, it would make sense that you couldn't see the trail. With so many Catch-n-keep bushes and cactii you definitely wouldn't want to pbalze your own path.

Even on a godo day the path is what I call a "Billy Goat" trail. It's narrow (albeit relatively flat and not that rocky) and lined with all kinds of plant life designed to ruin your bathing suit. So wear clothes and shoes.

The place always seems otherworldly to me and have posted pics formt he hike several times on this forum (just search Drunk Bay and you should find some).

As for the mud-- it's not a joke. I think it was the Park Service that lead a "Nature Spa Tour" over to the Salt Pond on the way to Drunk Bay several months ago. The ranger encouraged everyone to smear mud on them. (Must have looked like Woodstock!) I think one forumite did that tour and actually posted a review of the adventure.

I suppose if you are adventurous (and if the trail clears up) I would walk to Drunk Bay and on the way back partake of the mud experience. Then it will dry as you walk back to the beach. Once at the beach you can dive in and use the sand and surf to scrub off. I'd be careful of getting it on your bathing suit though in case it stains.

If you are brave, go for it, but I am not a big fan of putting my hands into water that I can't see the bottom of (That includes the ocean here at home which is why I love STJ so much!).

Keep us posted!

Gromit-I have kicked myself many, many times for having not taken a picture. In fact, I had my camera with me for the purpose of taking pictures at Drunk Bay, but completely blanked out on taking a picture of the high water.

I have been to Drunk Bay at least 4 times and must admit the inability to get across the water's edge trail to the trail on land left me confused, but the water's edge was, as I said above, 18" to 2 feet under water.

After reading the latest replies, we decided to skip it today. If we end up on that side of the island tomorrow, I'm sure we'll give it a shot, but I'm not sure if we'll be over there or not. This may just have to be something we see on a subsequent visit.

I took this photo the first day. I wish I had taken one of the side where the trail usually is.

I have pictures of the "trail" that I"ll post when I get home. It's 200% un-passable at this time, unless you want to wade out there.

The child was a tad bummed out.

Tried it ourselves, we will have to try again in October.

I took these on Friday. you can see the trail on the left edge of the water



another view.


It's gonna be underwater for a while I think...