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Rams Head trail ?
Rams Head trail ?
So my younger, athletic brother wants to do Rams Head trail. Can you tell me about it, it is a HIKE or not to bad? I am not very in shape. Could our 2yr old make the hike? ISorry about the newbie questions but I don't know anything about the Rams Head trail and don't want to get in over my head.
I did Solomons trail hike and that's about as much hiking as I want to do this time.
Thanks
9 DAYS til TOUCHDOWN
I did Solomons trail hike and that's about as much hiking as I want to do this time.
Thanks
9 DAYS til TOUCHDOWN
It's not a world class level hike, but I certainly wouldn't take a two year old.
If you go early before it gets too hot, and take your time, you don't need to be in top physical condition, but be prepared for some moderate uphill and downhill trekking, some walking on cobblestones, etc.
But the views along the way, and at Ram head itself made it very worthwhile for me.
If you go early before it gets too hot, and take your time, you don't need to be in top physical condition, but be prepared for some moderate uphill and downhill trekking, some walking on cobblestones, etc.
But the views along the way, and at Ram head itself made it very worthwhile for me.
Come see us!
DO NOT take your 2 year old! I am relatively out of shape and I did it but I would have surrendered if I had even my 5 year old with me.
Its not a hard hike, but if you go in thinking "Its only 1.2 miles each way how bad can it be?" you will be in for finding out just how tough a 2.4 mile roundtrip can be. I will post more about it in my trip report .. coming up in the next day or two .. but don't do it with the little one!
It is hot and exposed. Go early & take lots of water. We started from the house at 7am and if I had it to do again I would start the hike at 7.
The walk back up from salt pond to the car at the end is a Beeeeeotch. That was the worst part!
Its not a hard hike, but if you go in thinking "Its only 1.2 miles each way how bad can it be?" you will be in for finding out just how tough a 2.4 mile roundtrip can be. I will post more about it in my trip report .. coming up in the next day or two .. but don't do it with the little one!
It is hot and exposed. Go early & take lots of water. We started from the house at 7am and if I had it to do again I would start the hike at 7.
The walk back up from salt pond to the car at the end is a Beeeeeotch. That was the worst part!
Make sure to read Flip Flops next trip report she is going to say something about this hike.Pretty sure it will be entertaining. I did half of it and didn't think it was bad but I'm fairly atheletic and adventurous. IT WILL BE HOT go in the morning or a cloudy day if this is a concern.
FF replied allready for ya while I was posting this.
FF replied allready for ya while I was posting this.
Last edited by cptnkirk on Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
My husband kept saying ... Its not that bad. I was actually in the lead for the entire hike. But I am one of those ... once committed I have to GO, doddle and die! Stay tuned.cptnkirk wrote:Make sure to read Flip Flops next trip report she is going to say something about this hike.Pretty sure it will be entertaining. I did half of it and didn't think it was bad but I'm fairly atheletic and adventurous. IT WILL BE HOT go in the morning or a cloudy day if this is a concern.
My brother is on his own for this one.
There is no way you could take a 2 year old on that hike and have a good time! You'll end up carrying him/her most of the way.
I agree with flip flop, I think the worst part is actually the hike back up to the parking lot from Salt Pond. We actually sometimes skip Salt Pond completely because I hate that walk so much. It's not that it's long, but it just feels SOOO hot coming back up the hill.
There are some easier walks you could do with your little one--maybe the trail around the Cinnamon ruins? It's flat and right off the road. Or maybe go for a walk around the Annaberg ruins?
I agree with flip flop, I think the worst part is actually the hike back up to the parking lot from Salt Pond. We actually sometimes skip Salt Pond completely because I hate that walk so much. It's not that it's long, but it just feels SOOO hot coming back up the hill.
There are some easier walks you could do with your little one--maybe the trail around the Cinnamon ruins? It's flat and right off the road. Or maybe go for a walk around the Annaberg ruins?
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
liamsaunt - thanks for the advice on the other hikes.
I think I'll take her for a walk around Caneel, that's more my speed.
Where is the public beach at Caneel? Are they super strict about using there other beaches. Last time we went to STJ we did not go to Caneel and I would like to check it out this time.
Thanks Again!
I think I'll take her for a walk around Caneel, that's more my speed.
Where is the public beach at Caneel? Are they super strict about using there other beaches. Last time we went to STJ we did not go to Caneel and I would like to check it out this time.
Thanks Again!
You can take a gentle hike out to a point AND enjoy a morning at one of my favorite beaches. Drive over to Little Lameshur and park by the beach, in the shade. It's a short walk back on the road to the Yawzi Point trail. The view is outstanding and the trail is easy and short. You really get a good idea of the dry, xerophitic environment on the east and south side of the island. Always take plenty of water when hiking on the island.
The hike is #28 on the Trail Bandit 2006 map. I refer to the Trail Bandit for all my hiking and exploring: http://www.trailbandit.org/
The hike is #28 on the Trail Bandit 2006 map. I refer to the Trail Bandit for all my hiking and exploring: http://www.trailbandit.org/
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
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Hi Mel, the public beach at Caneel is the first beach you come to when you enter the resort. You just park in their lot and head towards the lobby area, and you'll see it. The chairs and toys are for the resort guests, but you can bring your own chairs and stuff and set up and it's OK.melmd wrote:Where is the public beach at Caneel? Are they super strict about using there other beaches. Last time we went to STJ we did not go to Caneel and I would like to check it out this time.
You can also park in Caneel's lot to walk over to Honeymoon and Solomon Beaches.
People will tell you varying things about whether you can go to the other beaches. Some people here have posted that they have had a nice time on the private beaches, and others have said that they were asked to leave.
I will just say that it is technically prohibited, and there are signs posted saying so at the access points. I personally have seen people asked to leave Scott Beach by Caneel's security on two occasions.
Remember, too, that Scott Beach and Paradise Beach are off limits to guests under the age of 14, even if you are staying at the resort.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Okay, Folks I've read every line, and every bit of advice concerning Ram Head, and with Mrs. JT's blessings I've gotta pipe in my 2 cents worth, 'cause that's all it's worth. Some of you have heard the gist of this before.
First off, as to the hike back from Salt Pond up to where you left your car being a bitch: Get over it. St. John was never meant for sissies. Jezzie-peezie, it's a hundred yards up a hill, in the sunshine, with cactus, donkeys, and hummingbirds. Yeah, it's a little harder then when you went down but, damn, get real, how much of that crap that you carried down with you did you really need? Think about that the next time you make that "trek".
OK, Secondly: A few years back Mrs. JT, [Betty], was in a horrific auto accident and was left with her kneecap in nine major pieces. The doctor who put her back together again said if this had happened five years earlier they would've amputated her leg. Anyway, about five years ago Betty and I did the Ram Head walk fairly early one morn. It was slightly challenging to her, in her Teva's, and afterwards we were hanging out on the beach at Salt Pond when a Catamaran came in and two couples swam to shore. Two long haired hippie- pinko types and two really "trim" ladies in bikinis and flip-flops. It's noon. They're mostly nekid. They told us they were heading up to Ram Head.No water.Did I say " Noon"? They did, They came back. They sat with us for a few minutes and said they did it regularly on full moons, in the dark, with flip-flops, with coolers filled with beer.They swam back to their Cat. There was no reason to think that they were full of B.S.
So the point here is: It ain't that hard. If you do it, you'll be glad that you did.
As far as taking a toddler with you: Everyone should know their own limitations.
Someone mentioned Yawzi Point: It ain't a bad second best, if you don't mind second best, and it's a hell of a lot easier.
Thanks for letting me ramble. Betty makes the Ram Head hike every time we visit. Peace & Harmony, JT
p.s. from my understanding it's Ram Head, not Ram's Head.
First off, as to the hike back from Salt Pond up to where you left your car being a bitch: Get over it. St. John was never meant for sissies. Jezzie-peezie, it's a hundred yards up a hill, in the sunshine, with cactus, donkeys, and hummingbirds. Yeah, it's a little harder then when you went down but, damn, get real, how much of that crap that you carried down with you did you really need? Think about that the next time you make that "trek".
OK, Secondly: A few years back Mrs. JT, [Betty], was in a horrific auto accident and was left with her kneecap in nine major pieces. The doctor who put her back together again said if this had happened five years earlier they would've amputated her leg. Anyway, about five years ago Betty and I did the Ram Head walk fairly early one morn. It was slightly challenging to her, in her Teva's, and afterwards we were hanging out on the beach at Salt Pond when a Catamaran came in and two couples swam to shore. Two long haired hippie- pinko types and two really "trim" ladies in bikinis and flip-flops. It's noon. They're mostly nekid. They told us they were heading up to Ram Head.No water.Did I say " Noon"? They did, They came back. They sat with us for a few minutes and said they did it regularly on full moons, in the dark, with flip-flops, with coolers filled with beer.They swam back to their Cat. There was no reason to think that they were full of B.S.
So the point here is: It ain't that hard. If you do it, you'll be glad that you did.
As far as taking a toddler with you: Everyone should know their own limitations.
Someone mentioned Yawzi Point: It ain't a bad second best, if you don't mind second best, and it's a hell of a lot easier.
Thanks for letting me ramble. Betty makes the Ram Head hike every time we visit. Peace & Harmony, JT
p.s. from my understanding it's Ram Head, not Ram's Head.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
JT - You sound just like my husband! Where's the love for the weak, feeble and whiny 
I am an out of shape sissy but I hope you and St. John will still love me.
You are, of course, dead on. It is not horrible, but it ain't easy breezy either. Bottom line it is TOTALLY worth it. Just not with a 2 year old.
That said on our way to the car after our hike - at about 10 am we saw a couple (who looked like REAL hikers, not sissy hikers) getting ready to head up with what looked like a 7 year old and a 4 year old who the wife was going to carry in a backpack! OMG ... no way that would work for me.
I am an out of shape sissy but I hope you and St. John will still love me.
You are, of course, dead on. It is not horrible, but it ain't easy breezy either. Bottom line it is TOTALLY worth it. Just not with a 2 year old.
That said on our way to the car after our hike - at about 10 am we saw a couple (who looked like REAL hikers, not sissy hikers) getting ready to head up with what looked like a 7 year old and a 4 year old who the wife was going to carry in a backpack! OMG ... no way that would work for me.