Lameshur Bay Trail, St. John USVI
The Lameshur Bay Trail connects the western part of the beach at Lameshur Bay with the Reef Bay Trail. The 1.8-mile track includes a steep hill that reaches an elevation of 467 feet above sea level. The distance from Lameshur Bay to the Reef Bay sugar factory is 2.6 miles, and from Lameshur Bay to the petroglyphs is 2.1 miles.
The public road leads right to the trailhead, which is clearly marked by a National Park information sign. (The road to the right goes up the hill and leads to the rangers station and the Bordeaux Mountain Trail.) The ruins of the Lameshur Bay Plantation lie in the immediate vicinity of the trail entrance and can be easily accessed and explored.
There are three spur trails on the route. The first leads to Europa point, the second to the rubble beach at Europa Bay and the third to the old Reef Bay Estate House.
Just before the beginning of the trail lie the ruins of the old Lameshur Bay Estate.
Remains of Lameshur Bay bay rum still
In the low lying area at the beginning of the trail you will come upon a big Tamarind tree. Split in half by lightning in the past both sides are alive. A beehive in the tree is reminiscent of the days when almost all the large trees on St. John housed honeybees. Another species that has chosen to make this tree its home is the termite, whose large nest is plainly visible nestled in a branch on the far side of the trail.
Genip trees in the area produce sweet genips in the summer.
Note: The genips easily pickable on the lower branches disappear fast.
A trail to the left leads to the old National Park Europa Bay Trail runs over the ridge and leads to a grassy knoll above Europa Point, punctuated with Barrel Cactus, frangipani, century plants, cactus. From the edge of the point you can enjoy fresh breezes and excellent views to the east south and west.
Note: This has not been an officially maintained National Park Trail for many years. It was abandoned when the Park made the trail to Europa Bay, which begins about a quarter mile further along the Lameshur Bay Trail and leading to the beach at Europa Bay. The original trail to Europa Point has been reopened through the efforts of reopened through the efforts of a local hiking group. Watch out for catch-n-keep along the trail and throny bush such as cactus and century plants when you arrive at the point.
| Back to the main trail the official, park-maintained Europa Bay Trail descends to the beach at Europa Bay. Before reaching the beach the trail passes a salt pond. | /div> |
Standing on the muddy shoreline, you will meet thousands of fiddler crabs. So numerous are they that despite their diminutive size you can here the pitter patter of their little legs as they scurry into the pond or back to their holes as soon as they become aware of your presence .
The pond is home to several species of birds including pin tail ducks. The best time to see the birds is in early morning.
After passing by the salt pond, the Europa Bay Spur Trail continues through the flats to the beach at Europa Bay, where you can enjoy the beautiful views and fresh breezes. Europa Bay is an excellent venue for a picnic or for beach combing.
Continuing on the main trail, just past the Europa Bay Spur Trail entrance, you will find a stone bench, which was constructed by the American Hiking Society in January of 1986. From here you can look down upon Little Lameshur and Great Lameshur Bays and the Yawzi Point Peninsula that separates the two.
to be continued: