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Ram's Head Hike
Ram's Head Hike
I know FLIP-FLOP and HIKE in the same sentence. Who would have ever thought 
I am not loving the idea of hiking but I have heard such great things about the view from Ram's Head that I may take off the flip-flops, strap on some real shoes & take this hike.
Who can give me to lowdown. Is it tough? Relatively flat? I know it is exposed and we should take lots of water. I hear its about 2.5 miles roundtrip. Can we get lost? Is my husband going to have to carry me out on his back.
I know I have a lot of questions but I am hyper planning mode!
I am not loving the idea of hiking but I have heard such great things about the view from Ram's Head that I may take off the flip-flops, strap on some real shoes & take this hike.Who can give me to lowdown. Is it tough? Relatively flat? I know it is exposed and we should take lots of water. I hear its about 2.5 miles roundtrip. Can we get lost? Is my husband going to have to carry me out on his back.
I know I have a lot of questions but I am hyper planning mode!
Hey, FF,
I loved that hike. You get little "previews" on the way up of the South shore that just make you all the more excited to get to the top. I think the toughest parts were the areas that are rocky and you have to go downhill a little bit- danger of a little sliding. But if you're going slow and watching, I think it would be fine. It was also raining the day I went so there were wet rocks and mud to contend with. I don't think you could get lost, though I hear people go at night and I'm not sure I could find my way back in the dark!
Anyway, the views at the top are amazing and if you start early, I imagine it wouldn't be too hot on the way back, either. If you're outside on STJ, you're going to be sweating anyway, right?
Might as well take in that view! Have fun!
I loved that hike. You get little "previews" on the way up of the South shore that just make you all the more excited to get to the top. I think the toughest parts were the areas that are rocky and you have to go downhill a little bit- danger of a little sliding. But if you're going slow and watching, I think it would be fine. It was also raining the day I went so there were wet rocks and mud to contend with. I don't think you could get lost, though I hear people go at night and I'm not sure I could find my way back in the dark!
Anyway, the views at the top are amazing and if you start early, I imagine it wouldn't be too hot on the way back, either. If you're outside on STJ, you're going to be sweating anyway, right?
Might as well take in that view! Have fun!
Flip Flop, it's a great hike and well worth it. Be sure to wear the right shoes and bring plenty of water. We have always done this hike on the night of the full moon. We bring wine and cheese and hang out on the point and watch the sun set over St. Thomas and then wait for the full moon to rise. We have done it three times and all three times had an adventure on the way back. The first time, it got cloudy and we couldn't see very well. Our friend who lived on the island navigated us out pretty quickly. The second time, there was a group of us and we went 2 days after the Full Moon. Our bad because the moon didn't rise until after 10 p.m. We had flashlights and were prepared but we got lost on the rocky beach finding our way back out. It was a mess! We swear the people whose homes face Ram Head must have been laughing at our flashlights going back and forth. We were lost for about 3 hours! The good bartender at Shipwreck landing made us the best painkiller ever! The third time we went, we were only lost for about 10 minutes getting off the rocky beach.
So, lesson is do it and do it during the day
Have fun!
nb
So, lesson is do it and do it during the day
Have fun!
nb
NancyB
We were definitely thinking EARLY morning. Daylight is key. I get flustered and my husband has NO sense of direction. Our friends will be following us. SO nighttime would be the wrong time.
Don't get me started about the 10 mile roundtrip hike we took here in Nova that ended up with us going 10 miles in 1 direction. I was NOT pleased.
Don't get me started about the 10 mile roundtrip hike we took here in Nova that ended up with us going 10 miles in 1 direction. I was NOT pleased.
The two of us had done this hike on two previous visits (both in January) and loved it! On our last visit (in June) we took our kids - 9yo son and 18yo daughter. Much warmer than we remembered in January, but three of us had a great time. The fourth... not so much. The two most hilarious photos we have ever taken are the one of our daughter at the top of Ram Head, and the one as we made it back to Salt Pond... The expression on her face is priceless!! You would have thought we had just hiked the Sahara with full backpack, and there were numerous references to "the face of the sun!"
But if the two of us pretty-well-out-of-shape 40-somethings can do this and enjoy it, anyone can. Its actually like three hikes in one: a section mostly under trees and shaded; another fairly hilly, open and hot; and a third along the ridge and to the point that is breezy with awesome views... Then back, of course, so I suppose its more like 6 hikes in one...?
But if the two of us pretty-well-out-of-shape 40-somethings can do this and enjoy it, anyone can. Its actually like three hikes in one: a section mostly under trees and shaded; another fairly hilly, open and hot; and a third along the ridge and to the point that is breezy with awesome views... Then back, of course, so I suppose its more like 6 hikes in one...?
Definitely do the Ram Head hike. It was a highlight of our last trip. My 16 yr old daughter esp loved it! We did it first thing in the morning, because it can get pretty hot! It is a part of STJ that is so different. It is truly breath- taking!
We did have a little "adventure" while on the trail. We kept seeing wet clothes strewn along the paths. And then along the rocky beach we saw more wet things, like belts and shoes, toothbrushes. Hmmmm, we thought that was rather odd...and the rustling in the bushes...must be a mongoose...then we saw a dry backpack along the path, with dry clothes on top. Oh welll...we went along our merry way. On our way back, almost to Salt POnd, we ran into a Natl.Park Ranger. He asked us about our hike and we told him how much we enjoyed it, but we saw some rather strange things ( the clothes and such). He told us that in the night that stretch of STJ was a drop off area for illegals coming in from other islands. They get dumped off, swim into shore ( it is desolate) . Their contact on stj leaves dry clothes, they change and assimilate into island life. Most likely they have a relative on island. That was why the ranger was walking the trail. Not to find the illegals, but hoping to catch the runners with the boats!!! YIKES!!! It was creepy to think that we might have scared them into the bushes and they were watching us!!! The ranger assured us that the illegals didnt want anything, but to just get on island.
I would def do the hike again, but would def not do it alone, or without my husband.
We did have a little "adventure" while on the trail. We kept seeing wet clothes strewn along the paths. And then along the rocky beach we saw more wet things, like belts and shoes, toothbrushes. Hmmmm, we thought that was rather odd...and the rustling in the bushes...must be a mongoose...then we saw a dry backpack along the path, with dry clothes on top. Oh welll...we went along our merry way. On our way back, almost to Salt POnd, we ran into a Natl.Park Ranger. He asked us about our hike and we told him how much we enjoyed it, but we saw some rather strange things ( the clothes and such). He told us that in the night that stretch of STJ was a drop off area for illegals coming in from other islands. They get dumped off, swim into shore ( it is desolate) . Their contact on stj leaves dry clothes, they change and assimilate into island life. Most likely they have a relative on island. That was why the ranger was walking the trail. Not to find the illegals, but hoping to catch the runners with the boats!!! YIKES!!! It was creepy to think that we might have scared them into the bushes and they were watching us!!! The ranger assured us that the illegals didnt want anything, but to just get on island.
I would def do the hike again, but would def not do it alone, or without my husband.
Ram Head
Flip-Flop,I so wanted to do try this hike this year,but we ran out of time.I did hike up to a overlook and gazed down onto Blue Cobblestone beach with Ramhead in the background.It was a beautiful sight.Remember to take your snorkel gear with you,then on the way back you can snorkel Blue Cobblestone Beach.I think this would be a nice cool break for you and may make the hike more enjoyable.Parafins.........
HELLO FROM MICHIGAN...
Your post is so my family! It totally cracked me up! My kids are near the same ages as yours. Hand Bag Girl is 19 and Critter Boy is 10. I am planning for us to do this hike in June and I can already see that girl woman is not going to be pleased. I could totally relate to "the look." Can't wait! Should be good times!!!2Feathers wrote:We took our kids - 9yo son and 18yo daughter. Three of us had a great time. The fourth... not so much. The expression on her face is priceless!! You would have thought we had just hiked the Sahara with full backpack.
I just noticed this video on travelistic which is an overview of the ram head hike:
http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/3 ... in-Islands
There is some really good video on that site!
http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/3 ... in-Islands
There is some really good video on that site!
That is exactly where I got the idea! My secret is out. Still, it looked like something a novice could handle. EARLY, before its too hot. Honestly I just want that view.Sleehog wrote:I just noticed this video on travelistic which is an overview of the ram head hike:
http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/3 ... in-Islands
There is some really good video on that site!
Hey Flip Flop - you'll love it - it really is beautiful and its so cool to see that part of the island. It amazed me how different two different areas could be - all along the North Shore the vegitation is so tropical and then all along Ram Head and that area the vegitation is so dry with all of the cacti. Really neat stuff.
PS - the Ram Head hike is where my hubby proposed to me so it certainly holds a very special place in my heart! Funny story - when we got to the end (there is an old Island tale of trowing a rock over the edge to make a wish - something the slaves used to do - I forget where I read about it) we made our wish and he asked me what I wished for....yadda yadda yadda - got down on his knee and pulled out that little jewelrey box and when he opened it....it was upside down and the ring came flying out - if we were any closer to the edge of the cliff someone would've been cliff diving for sure!!!
Enjoy and say "hi" for me!
PS - the Ram Head hike is where my hubby proposed to me so it certainly holds a very special place in my heart! Funny story - when we got to the end (there is an old Island tale of trowing a rock over the edge to make a wish - something the slaves used to do - I forget where I read about it) we made our wish and he asked me what I wished for....yadda yadda yadda - got down on his knee and pulled out that little jewelrey box and when he opened it....it was upside down and the ring came flying out - if we were any closer to the edge of the cliff someone would've been cliff diving for sure!!!
Enjoy and say "hi" for me!
Beauuuuuuuuutiful hike I agree go early to beat the heat. Only have went to the overlook at Cobblestone hope to do the rest in May when we go down with our friends. Wife not a hiker so probably won't do it this trip in November but my buuddy likes to hike. I can get her to do the Solomon hike with no problem. Think it has something to do with the beach. Ya think? Man we love that beach. Probably one of my favorite places on earth!