Sun, Feb 7 2016, 2:00 pm: Hike to Sprat Hall and Mount Victory

General info for all hikes and walks: Hikes and walks are $5 for members, and $10 for non-members (become a member). Unless otherwise noted, the pace for hikes is moderate, lasting 3-5 hours, covering 3-5 miles, the terrain is hilly, footing is sometimes uneven, and we follow trails and possibly paved or dirt roads. Walks are easier and shorter than hikes, and usually follow paved or dirt roads, no trails. The guide may periodically stop and talk along the way. Bring sturdy, comfortable walking or hiking shoes, water, snack, bug spray, rain poncho, and camera. Shorts or long pants are OK. For day hikes, bring a hat and sun block. For night hikes, bring a small flashlight. There are usually about 20 people. We depart about 30 minutes after the posted start time. For some hikes, we will meet at the indicated location, then drive a short distance to the hike location.

Specific info for this hike: Meet at 2 pm in the parking area across the street from the National Guard facility - just north of Sprat Hall, north of Frederiksted. From there we will walk up Creque Dam road, stop at Mt. Victory Camp, then go onto Mahogany Rd. and back to the parking area. Mclean will be leading the hike. We will finish in time for SuperBowl.

Driving directions: From Frederiksted town, go north for about 2 miles on Route 63, following the shoreline. After passing Route 58 / Creque Dam Rd. on the right, continue north on Route 63 for another 0.2 miles (about 400 yards) and turn left into an unpaved parking area. This is just before the National Guard facility (formerly the tracking station), which is a large beige building across the road on the right side.

Area info: Estate Sprat hall is the oldest plantation on St Croix dating back to 1650, and 1690 when the French occupied the island. The possible name sprat could have come from the fact that the waters in these areas were popular with sprats. Reimart Haagensen, a Danish planter in the 1730's, mentioned that the sprats become so poisonous at certain times of the year, that no one dares catch it or eat it, through ignorance of the same several slaves have died miserably from it.

Mount Victory is a prehistoric archeological site. There are about eight prehistoric sites in this area. Mt Victory was one of the northwest estates where thousands of enslaved Africans in 1848 marched to Frederiksted for their emancipation.

The stream below the campsite used run year round. The slave school was once a place where enslaved African children came to school. It was built in 1841 after free compulsory education was introduced by General Peter Von Scholten in 1839. Movarian Brethen supervised the education in the country schools. Eight country schools were built.

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