Mount Scenery

Coordinates: 17°38′06″N 63°14′21″W / 17.63500°N 63.23917°W / 17.63500; -63.23917
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Mount Scenery
Saba with Mount Scenery's peak in the clouds
Highest point
Elevation887 m (2,910 ft)
Prominence887 m (2,910 ft)
ListingCountry high point
Coordinates17°38′06″N 63°14′21″W / 17.63500°N 63.23917°W / 17.63500; -63.23917
Geography
Mount Scenery is located in Lesser Antilles
Mount Scenery
Mount Scenery
location in the Lesser Antilles
LocationSaba, Caribbean Netherlands
Geology
Mountain typeStratovolcano with lava dome
Volcanic arcLesser Antilles Volcanic Arc
Last eruption1640

Mount Scenery is a dormant volcano in the Caribbean Netherlands. Its lava dome forms the summit of the Saba island stratovolcano. At an elevation of 887 m (2,910 ft),[1] it is the highest point in both the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and, since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010, the highest point in the Netherlands proper.

The Saba volcano is potentially dangerous. It is currently classified "dormant", which means it is an active volcano that is not erupting now, but could erupt in the future.[2] The last eruption was in or around the year 1640[1] which included explosions and pyroclastic flows. The most recent major eruption was at least 5,000 years ago.[3] According to the U.S. Global Volcanism Program, Saba's volcano is the northernmost active volcano in the Caribbean.[1]

On 2 September 2019, Mt. Scenery Nature Park was elevated to the status of national park.[4] It has a hiking trail to its summit, which is one of Saba's biggest tourist attractions. Along the way up the mountain are the multiple climate zones of Saba, including a cloud forest at the summit.[5][6]

Hiking[edit]

Mount Scenery Trail trailhead in Windwardside

Mount Scenery Trail[edit]

The Mount Scenery Trail is Saba's most popular hiking trail.[7][8][9] The trail is a strenuous out-and-back trail, which goes up 1064 steps to Mt. Scenery's summit and back.[10] It takes about 90 minutes each way.[11]

The main trailhead for Mt. Scenery Trail is located on the road just outside Windwardside, across from the Trail Shop.[12] There are two alternative accesses to the trail: one from the end of the Mountain Road, which reduces the hike by about 25 minutes;[10] or one from the Bud’s Mountain Trail, which joins the Mt. Scenery trail at the highest shelter.[10] At the top of the trail, there are three different viewpoints of the island.[13]

The lower portion of the trail goes through rain forest and secondary rainforest.[14] Here hikers can see tree ferns, Elephant Ears (Taro), wild plantains (Heliconia), Mountain Palm (Euterpe precatoria), and "Mountain Manna" (Begonia retusa).[14][6] The upper 50m (150ft) of the trail is a cloud forest called the Elfin Forest.[5][6] Here hikers can see Mountain Mahogany,[15][5] as well as orchids, liverworts, mosses, ferns, and other epiphytes.[6][5]

The Elfin Trail[edit]

The Elfin Trail is Saba's newest hiking trail, established in 2018.[16] The trail begins on the Sandy Cruz Trail, and ends when it intersects with the Mount Scenery Trail.[17] The hike takes about 1 hour one-way.[17]

The trail follows the old paths used by farmers of earlier generations.[16] Hikers of the trail will go through three ecosystems: woodlands, rainforest, cloud forest.[16] Hikers can see Elephant Ears (Taro), Mountain Fuchsia, Maxillaria Orchids, large Banana trees, and other flora.[17] The trail also provides views of Old Booby Hill, Cove Bay, and the airport.[17]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Saba". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Active, dormant, and extinct: Clarifying confusing classifications | U.S. Geological Survey". www.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  3. ^ "About Saba". Saba Tourism. 2018-06-21. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  4. ^ "National park status for Mount Scenery Nature Park - Saba News". www.saba-news.com. Archived from the original on 2019-09-07.
  5. ^ a b c d "Hiking: The Summit of Mt. Scenery". Saba Tourism. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  6. ^ a b c d "Hiking Trails: Flora and Fauna". www.sabapark.org. Saba Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  7. ^ "Hiking on Saba | Sea Saba Dive Center". seasaba. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  8. ^ Greaves-Gabbadon, Sarah (March 27, 2013). "This 5-square-mile Island Has a 'Disappearing Beach' — and It's Called the 'Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean'". Travel + Leisure.
  9. ^ Werner, Laurie. "Ultimate Caribbean Seclusion: The Under The Radar, Newly Reopened Island Of Saba". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  10. ^ a b c "Plan your Hike". Saba Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  11. ^ "Mt. Scenery | Saba Tourism". 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  12. ^ "The Trail Shop | Saba Tourism". 2018-06-22. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  13. ^ "Hiking: Mt. Scenery". Saba Tourism. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  14. ^ a b "Hiking: Lower Slopes". Saba Tourism. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  15. ^ "Species Action Plan: Mountain mahogany" (PDF). Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database. 2020.
  16. ^ a b c Staff, Caribbean Journal (2018-08-20). "A New Hiking Trail in Saba". Caribbean Journal. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  17. ^ a b c d "Plan your Hike". Saba Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 2024-02-08.