You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
AS<br />
you sail into the inner lagoon of Marigot Bay, St. Lucia, look to the north.<br />
You will see a few buildings along the shore, behind which the land<br />
climbs to a 600-foot-high ridge. The top part of this hill is a national park<br />
and there are two excellent short hikes here. If all goes according to plan, one day they<br />
will be linked by a well-marked ridge trail, which will allow you to start at Rainforest<br />
Hideaway and end at Doolittle’s.<br />
The main ridge hike takes about an hour from the dock to the top and back again.<br />
The trail for this hike starts near Rainforest Hideaway. (If you eat in this romantic and<br />
upscale restaurant the night before, you won’t have to feel guilty about the calories<br />
as you will hike them all off the next morning!)<br />
The best and easiest way to find the trail is to dock the dinghy at Rainforest<br />
Hideaway, wander up to the Mango Beach Inn, and ask the staff to put you on the<br />
trail, which starts at the their highest gate. Mango Beach’s Judith Verity and her team<br />
have been really kind about this, and for a small fee can also supply you with a guide<br />
in the form of Jo Jo, their gardener.<br />
However, if you prefer to find your own way from the water’s edge, here is how you<br />
do it: Walk up past the bar at Rainforest Hideaway, pass through the first gate right<br />
above, and then follow the wooden walkway and steps down just to the east of<br />
Rainforest Hideaway. A path here leads through the mangroves. But after just a few<br />
steps (and the path is really unclear at this point), head uphill. The first part of the<br />
path is poorly marked but it basically runs outside the fence line of Mango Beach Inn<br />
and joins the main path at the top gate of the Mango Beach Inn property.<br />
From here on up the path is very clear and looks like it was designed by an engineer<br />
as it goes directly and almost in a straight line to the top of the ridge. It can be slippery<br />
and is very steep in places, but trees are often perfectly positioned to make<br />
SAILORS’ HIKES BY CHRIS DOYLE<br />
ST. LUCIA’S<br />
MARIGOT RIDGE<br />
HIKES<br />
Johnson Hardware Ltd.<br />
FOR YOUR MARINE HARDWARE, AND MORE<br />
Chain & Rope<br />
Anchors & Fenders<br />
Electric Wire<br />
Marine Hoses<br />
Bilge Pumps<br />
Lubricants & Oils<br />
Main photo: You get an eagle’s-eye view of the inner bay from the ridge<br />
Inset: ‘I have never seen more large-leaf sea grape trees than on this hike’<br />
handholds, and towards the top, in the three places where the going gets tough, long<br />
ropes have been tied in place to provide you with a good handhold. Shoes with a good<br />
grip are almost essential.<br />
I have never seen more large-leaf sea grape trees, Coccoloba pubescens, than on this<br />
hike. These trees, relatives of the common sea grape found on many beaches, have<br />
giant leaves, big enough to come in handy as a sunshade or umbrella. In the dry<br />
season, their dead leaves litter the floor of the trail.<br />
Watch out also for hermit crabs. This is typical habitat for them and footsteps can<br />
make them retreat into their shell — upon which they often lose traction and start<br />
rolling downhill, which has led some hikers to believe that the trail is littered with<br />
aggressive little rocks determined to attack them.<br />
When you reach the summit, turn left and follow the ridge for a short while; you will<br />
find a meditation platform with a great view.<br />
The other trail, the sunset ridge trail, starts in the Doolittle complex. It is less steep<br />
and doesn’t go as high as the main ridge trail, but it also has a lovely ridge viewpoint.<br />
Since you have to go quite a long way through private property with “no trespassing”<br />
signs, I suggest you go into Doolittle’s to get permission and ask for directions to the<br />
beginning of the trail. Once you pass through the gate in the big fence where the trail<br />
starts, it is very clear. If you go to watch the sunset, take a flashlight and make sure<br />
you get back before they lock the gate!<br />
Stainless Fasteners<br />
Stainless Fittings<br />
VHF Radios<br />
Flares & Life Jackets<br />
Snorkeling Equipment<br />
Fishing Gear<br />
Antifouling Paint<br />
Paint Brushes<br />
Epoxy Resins<br />
Sanding Paper & Discs<br />
Hand & Power Tools<br />
Houseware & Cookware<br />
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia � Tel: (758) 452 0299 � Fax: (758) 452 0311 � e-mail: hardware@candw.lc<br />
CHRIS DOYLE (2)<br />
JULY 2010 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 23
Change language