USVI-On-Line

Considering doing the reef bay hike. 3rd time to STJ, but never crossed it off the list. Thoughts? Best to go through the NPS with the shuttle at the end? Or do it on your own? Obviously, it's a long hot hike up and out.

Never done the NPS guided tour, but have talked to those who have and have done Reef a couple of times...to answer your question, I'd say it depends on your motivation...if you're looking for a good challenge or just wanting to commune with nature, I say go on your own...the trail is well marked and I doubt you'll ever question where to go or feel lost...lots of good signs telling you about the trees and plants and ruins you come upon too.

If you're more into the educations apects...learning about the island and its history, then I'd go with the NPS tour.

The trail is basically 2 miles from trailhead on centerline to the coast...the first mile is basically all down hill and the 2nd is relatively flat. The spur over to the Petroglyphs is only about 1/3 of a mile and I want to say most of it's flat until you make the climb up to the rocky outcropping.

The hike back up is definitely no joke, but if you're moderately good shape and take plenty of water, you should be fine...celebrate finishing the hike with a Skinny's Cheeserburger...tastes even better after a four mile hike. Who knew.

Thanks 54b, I like where you are thinking with the cheeseburger afterward.

We did it with the boat ride at the end. It was fun. We are a little older, and It was hot in August , so I don't think I would have made it back up with out a couple of hrs. cooling off in the water. I am a cool weather hiker. Soooooo.

Question, to get to the boat after the hike, do you have to swim? We are not really swimmers so wondered. Thanks.

The NPS ferry takes you from shore to boat in an inflatable motorized dingy.

To be honest my biggest problem is finding the trailhead along Centerline as we always drive past it the first time and have to go quite a way before turning around. Then when you get there the parking is very restrictive. You needn't worry about that with the NPS tour.

Chris @ Work wrote:The NPS ferry takes you from shore to boat in an inflatable motorized dingy.

To be honest my biggest problem is finding the trailhead along Centerline as we always drive past it the first time and have to go quite a way before turning around. Then when you get there the parking is very restrictive. You needn't worry about that with the NPS tour.

Ageed, but if you want to do it on your own, I would guess early morning should be good. Me, I opt for the tour.

I kind of hate guided tours (too many people). We thought it was a piece of cake.

We went early in the morning before anybody else was there, took a swim at the bottom, ate a snack, checked out the bats in the ruins, did the petroglyphs (fabulous), and even had a little deer hike with us on the way out for about 15 minutes (no joke - he kept right along with us).

On the way out near the top we passed the NPS group and I didn't think it looked fun, but that's just me.

We did the guided hike back in 2005. The ranger that day practically sprinted down the hill, it was crazy. The ride back was fun, we got to see a different view of the island and the captain gave us an entertaining commentary the entire way.

My mom did the guided tour the following year. She is Miss Mountaineer and thought the pace was too slow but was delighted with the ranger, who was West Indian and gave the group a real education about the plants and medicinal uses, geography, etc.

Sign up for the NPS tour, ditch the tour which is painfully slow, spend the extra time snorkeling at Genti Bay. Catch the boat back.

We did the NPS tour in 2009 and really liked it. It was very educational. We learned alot about the plants and wildlife and St John in general. The boat ride back was beautiful too and the captain was very entertaining and pointed out a lot of great stuff as well.
There is a dinghy that picks you up from the beach and takes you to the boat or you can also swim out to it if you prefer.
I would say it depends on what you are looking for but we really liked it and wouldn't have gotten as much out of it if we were on our own.
Have fun!

The best part about going with the NPS is learning about the island, its history, flora and fauna. Plus you get the boat trip back. It's so worthwhile.

I did the educational part a while back, and loved it, but now ditching the tour sounds amazing. I love the idea of the longer swim, and still taking the boat back!

i like how Steve S thinks.