The
Lind Point Trail begins at the parking area behind the National
Park Visitors Center and leads to the beaches at Salomon and Honeymoon
Bays. Hiking time is approximately 45 minutes and the maximum elevation
gained is 160 feet at the Lind Point Battery Overlook.
The Lind Point Trail passes through two classes of island environments,
cactus scrub between Cruz Bay and Lind Point and dry forest on
the wooded slopes of Caneel Hill east of Lind Point. In colonial
days, this area was known as Estate Lindholm and was dedicated
to the cultivation of cotton.
Night Blooming Cerius
After crossing a dirt road, the trail rises gradually in elevation and follows
the eastern shoreline of Cruz Bay.
Here the track is lined by tangles of night blooming cerius, a cactus-like plant that once a year produces
a magnificent white flower that opens at night and closes before
sunrise the next morning. The flower is followed by the production
of a delicious red fruit that tastes something like a kiwi.
Intersection of Upper & Lower Trails
On
to Lind Point
About a quarter mile from the trailhead, the path splits into upper and lower
branches. The upper trail will be to your right while the lower trail continues
straight ahead. Both trails access Salomon and Honeymoon Bays. The lower trail
is slightly shorter and less hilly, than the upper trail, but does not pass
the Lind Point BatteryOverlook as does the more scenic upper trail. The upper
trail gains elevation through a series of switchbacks and then continues north
toward Lind Point, the headland that defines the northern extremity of Cruz
Bay and the northwestern corner of the island. When you get to Lind Point,
a loop trail on your left leads to the Lind Point Battery Overlook.
Lind Point Battery Overlook
Lind Point Battery Overlook
During
the era of the Napoleonic wars, England, along with most of Europe,
had united against Napoleon and his revolutionary government
in France. Fearing for the security of her West Indian colonies,
Britain turned her attention to the Danish West Indian islands
of St. Thomas and St. John. If the French took control of these
islands, they would undoubtedly use the strategic harbors of
Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas and Coral Bay on St. John to set
up bases from which Tortola and the rest of the British West
Indian colonies could be attacked. It was a likely scenario.
Denmark never had a strong military presence in the Caribbean
and St. Thomas and St. John could easily have fallen prey to
the French. The British decided to make the first move. They
sent a fleet of warships to St. Thomas, whereupon the Danes surrendered
before a single shot was fired.
British troops occupied the Danish West Indies on two separate occasions, once
in 1801, for almost a year, and then again in 1807, this time remaining until
1815. In order to secure Cruz Bay harbor, the British built a battery (fortification)
on Lind Point. The “English Fort” as it was called by the inhabitants
of St. John at the time, was no more than a semicircular terrace supported
by a stone retaining wall upon which cannons were placed to defend the harbor.
The cannons are no longer there, but the retaining wall remains. In place of
the weaponry, there is now a wooden bench where you can sit and enjoy a view
of busy Cruz Bay Harbor backdropped by unspoiled tropical scenery.
From Lind Point to Salomon and Honeymoon Bays
From Lind Point, the trail turns right, or east, and follows the northwestern
coastline though a dry forest environment. Many of the rock formations along
the hillsides are covered by epiphytes (air plants), such as bromeliads and
anthuriums. Other rocks bear intricate designs created by lichen growing
on the surface of the stones.
Salomon Bay Spur
The Salomon Bay Spur Trail intersects the upper and lower Lind Point trails
about a quarter mile from Lind Point. This trail descends to the western
end of Salomon Beach. A second spur trail
connects the eastern end of Salomon Beach with the lower Lind Point Trail.
Caneel Hill Spur
For those not going to Salomon Bay, the Lind Point Trail continues straight
ahead intersecting the Caneel Hill Spur Trail further east. This trail intersects
both the lower and upper Lind Point trails before crossing the North Shore
Road (Route 20) near the entrance to the National Park housing area. The
spur then continues up the mountainside to an elevation of 300 feet where
it meets the Caneel Hill Trail.
Animal Control Gate
On to Honeymoon Bay
East of the Caneel Hill Spur intersection, the Lind Point Trail descends to
the beach at Honeymoon Bay near a large tamarind
tree. Cross over the dirt road to get to the beach. This road heads
east towards the Caneel Bay beach and the
Caneel Bay Resort.
