USVI-On-Line

What is your favorite STJ hike? We want to do some hiking on this trip and have already done the Reef Bay Trail and a partial Ram's Head. We will definitely do Ram's Head but am not sure what other hikes are must-do's. Thanks!

It's a super easy one, but I love the hike (more like glorified walk) from Salt Pond to Drunk Bay.

For more of a challenge, Ram Head is also accessible from Salt Pond as well.

I like Ram's Head. I also really enjoyed doing the loop starting & finishing in Cruz Bay: the Caneel/Margaret Hill trail takes you to the entrance of Caneel Bay Resort with a couple nice lookout areas along the way. Eat lunch at Caneel. Then take the Lind Point Trail to Soloman & Honeymoon beaches to cool off and relax. Then continue back to Cruz Bay. Figure a whole day for this.

Thinking about someday doing the Reef Bay trail but it seems really long. Does anyone know how to take the boat back instead of going back up the trail?

We definitely want to do Drunk Bay since it was underwater in July.

The NPS has a guided tour for the Reef Bay Trail which includes the boat ride back. We really enjoyed it!

Gigi wrote:The NPS has a guided tour for the Reef Bay Trail which includes the boat ride back. We really enjoyed it!

How do you get on this tour?

They only do it a few days a week. We called a few months before our trip and made a reservation. It is a pretty popular hike and space is limited. You can find the info. on the NPS website:

Reef Bay Hike

Times: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Visitor Center

Summary: 3-mile down through a sub-tropical forest.

Fees: 21.00 per person for transportation

Details:
The secrets of St. John`s tropical forest, petroglyphs, and sugar mill ruins come alive on this three-mile downhill hike. Participants should bring lunch, 1 - 2 liters of water per person, any special medication (taken daily), and a swimsuit for a quick swim at the trails end. Wear good hiking shoes (no open-toed footwear or aqua socks), and cool comfortable clothing.

The hike is mostly downhill, but is not necessarily easy due to its length, steep rocky terrain, short but strenuous uphill sections, and the prevailing heat and humidity. In addition, there is the remote possibility that deteriorating sea conditions might require hiking back uphill to the trail head. Visitors with circulatory or joint/muscle problems, other medical conditions, or with small children, should carefully evaluate their ability to do this hike.

This program is normally held on Mondays and Thursdays. Fridays are added during the busy season based on demand. However, participation is limited and the list fills up fast; therefore you must call (340) 776-6201, ext. 238 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM to make reservations at least two weeks in advance. Please do not attempt to make reservations via the internet.

This hike includes transportation - a shuttle ride to the trail head (cost $6.00 per person) and a boat pick-up which returns hikers to the Visitor Center (cost $15.00 per person). All hikers MUST meet at the Visitor Center by 9:30 AM.




Contact: Visitor Information Desk

Thanks Gigi. I think this will be added to our to do list!

Trail Bandit maps:
http://www.trailbandit.org/

#24 Lameshur Bay Trail
#20 Great Sieben Trail
#18 Brown Bay Trail

Lavender hills to The Beach Bar

Sorry to give the bad news, but unless there is a new way of getting there you can't get to the drunk bay trail. We were there late November. The salt pond is HUGE.

djmom wrote:Sorry to give the bad news, but unless there is a new way of getting there you can't get to the drunk bay trail. We were there late November. The salt pond is HUGE.

Really? We just got back from a sunset hike to Ram Head. We didn't have enough time to go to Drunk Bay too (what with the lengthy pre-hike happy hour at Tourist Trap), but we're planning on going out there in the next few days. I'll report back.
I had hoped to tell you all about the White Cliffs trail, but our attempt at finding it was cut short due to me trying to impale my arm on a tree. A visit to Myrah Keating and 12 stitches later, it looks like I will survive and I'll retain the use of my arm.

Lovermont

For Lovermont: You probably need us along to slow you down but we'll try it in March and see if we can make it. We are currently in the Keys and it is cold! We hiked the lengths of Whitehead and Duval Streets. Snow at home.

For favorite hikes:

We love the Brown's Bay jaunt. Nice hike & good snorkeling.

The Johnny Horn up out of Lienster is great also. The views are terrific.

BillVT wrote:For Lovermont: You probably need us along to slow you down but we'll try it in March and see if we can make it.

Ah Bill! We were thinking of you guys this evening on the way to Ram Head. Beautiful evening but with a cloud obstructed sunset. Just a sliver of a moon. Glad you're not in VT for the snow

Lovermont

The Yawzi point trail was a nice hike (walk) - can't wait to try some of the others on island.

Frank Bay to Banana Deck.