The Tektite Road

The old road that serviced the Tektite project in 1969, was abandoned and became overgrown after the completeion of the project. It is now passable thanks to the efforts of reopened through the efforts of a local hiking group.

The 0.7 mile trail leads up through dry forest and connects with the old Tektite Road . This follows the ridge line over three hill and leads to the site of the Tektite project.

Sprur trails lead to Cabritte Horn point and to the shoreline of Great Lameshur Bay.

The trail begins 60 feet west of of the top of the steep concrete paved road leading down to Lameshur Bay. As you begin you will see the remains of an old gate.

The trail rises steeply through dry forest vegetation. (Begins at elevation 193 and rises to 354 - ascent of 161 feet)

At the top of hill where the trail meets the remains of an old bulldozed road, you willl be rewarded with beautiful views and refreshing tradewinds to cool you off after the steep sunny climb.

The trail continues over the ridge of the hill and begins a gentle decent leadinf to a grassy area with views to to east south and west.

First fork to left: descends through grassy area with more spectacular views of the southeast coast of St. John and south to St. Croix. Here the brisk trades carry the smells of moran and frangipani. Look for Barrel Cactus with their edible fruits and wild orchids growing out of the grass cactus branches, trees and rocks.

barrel cactus with view of rocks looking down on rocks with remains of footings for one f the tektite project support structures

It's also an excellent place to observe sea birds - pelicans, frigate birds gulls and boobies.

I saw a Red Tail American Kestral gliding motionless in respect to the land with wings spread wide intently observing the valley below.

The trail leads to a deep gorge with sheer rock walls descending to the sea, so narrow you could easily jump over it. (You don't have to - the trail leads around it)

narrow gorge

The spur trail ends atop Cabritte Horn Point.

Returning to the main trail, now more obviously a bulldozed road, you begin a descent with more great views to the west.

From several vantage points on the trail you can look down onto Beehive Cove, the site of the Tektite project as well as one of the best snorkeling areas on St. John. See St. John Off the Beaten Track)

Beehive Cove looking east

Beehive Cove looking west

A short spur to the right, marked by arrow on a rock, leads down to the Lameshur shoreline. From hre you can scramble over the rocks on the coastline to the beach at Donkey Cove and on to Great Lameshur Bay and the South Shore Road.

The main trail continues to a knoll overlooking the rocky coast of Beehive Cove and the Tektite Snorkel. From there you can scramble down to the sea, although there is not a convenient place to enter the water to snorkel from here. There is a small cave. We dubbed the "Quartz Cave" for the beautiful quartz crystal found within.

Patson in "Quartz Cave"