St. Mathews Blue Hole National Park Belize Central America - The Big Mozey

St Mathew's Blue Hole National Park Belize Central America.

What a trek!

First up is St. Herman's cave. This is the first goal of the hike. Thought it was the only goal for the hike, but being the wild and crazy guy I am , I ventured further in after the cave visit for a view, on top of a mountain, of Stann Creek Valley.

First, St. Herman's Cave.

The entrance to the park is off the one main road that they have in Belize. It runs from Belmopan, the capital to Dangriga. An active road between the two cities, and that in itself is relative. Maybe pass 6 or 7 cars in the 45 minute drive from where I am staying. So, even though if is just off the main road, there is very little traffic car or foot wise.

About 10 feet of the road, is the visitor centre to the park. Run by the Audubon Society of Belize, they collect the $4.00 entry fee, and $2.00 fee for the flashlight. I am thinking if it is just a short 10 minute walk, how bad can the cave be? Who am I to argue, and pay the flashlight fee, and set off down the path.

Having been to a couple of places so far on my trip, I know mosquitoes are awaiting, and I have sprayed my legs and arms to try to protect myself from the little buggers. So, where do they attack when I get to the base of the steps going up to the cave - you guessed it - forehead, ears and neck!

The trek to the cave is pretty easy, but the entrance is foreboding. There are stone steps leading into a deep dark hole going into the mountainside. I am by myself, more concerned now with my safety then in my younger days. Looks a bit eerie.

What could be in there?

Why do I really want to go in there?

Those steps look a little steep going down into that cave! They not only look steep , they are STEEP!

Sign off to the side of the steps says to stay on the steps.

I am thinking, who in their right mind would think of going of in that area and leaving these steps behind? Nobody around, just the mosquitoes and a few birds chirping away. Shivers are going up and down my spine.

Why on God's green earth am I going from day light into darkness??

Because it is there, I say to myself, because it is there!

Walking down the steps, being 58, I tread a little more carefully then when I was younger. I have fallen a few times on this trip, and do not want to roll down these stairs. About 50 of them, I would say. Going into darkness, and getting wet as they go deeper into the cave. DANGER, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!

Make the steps, no problem at all. Then reach a pretty level area, and step wrong, and fall face forward, scraping the heck out of my knuckles.

Click on the flashlight I have to see how bad it is - DARN THING DOES NOT WORK!! Jimmy it around, undo the end, take out - put back in the batteries, and AHA! it works!

Blood down my hand, no water to wash it off with to see if it is bad. Move my hand around a bit, does not seem to hurt too bad, so something to take care of later.

Cave is dark. You would think cool, but you would be wrong!

Dank would be the best word. And as you work your way in, you catch a small breeze coming from the inside darkness that, that is cool and welcome.

Water running through the cave, you can hear it, but difficult to see. Walls worn away by centuries of erosion by the water and rain.

Mayans used this centuries ago - for what, I have no idea. Maybe to hide from the Spanish, to keep cool during the day? Only guesses on my part.

As you get away from the entrance, it is totally dark. Nothing but the sound of water. Without the flashlight, there would be no way to see where you are going, how to get back to the entrance.

By yourself, you can go in about 200 yds. I do not go in that far - do not see the value in it. I can see how the rocks have been worn away, how the lime has formed stalagmites and the other one that I cannot remember, I have seen all I care to see - heebie jeebies are coming on, and I want to go!

It is delightful to see the entrance come back into view. Finally regular light. Now, I have been in there for about a half hour, trying to see if I can take pictures - no light, camera cannot focus on anything.

Only chance I get to take pictures that really show something is on the way out. The water, the rock, the rope guides that they have stuck into the rocks. Pretty amazing really. To see what happens over the centuries to the land, is pretty phenomenal.

On the way back, I see a sign that suggests a 1 mile hike to a viewing tower. It is hot, humid, and of course the BUGS.

Though, how many times am I going to visit Belize?

What the heck, a mile cannot be that bad. Then there is a sign that suggests a 1/2 mile trek, but steep! Steep is not for me today, I wimp out, and take the long, easy way around!

Easy, my butt! Over the hills and through the woods, its to the viewing tower I go.

In the mid 90's, 60% humidity. I take many rest stops, drinks of water. Calves start hurting - I am going up, then down - the path is not that great.

Wood boards placed as steps are rotting away. Stones and roots of trees are better supports when moving up the hills. Same when going down hill.

Trees fallen and cutaway to keep the path clear. Vines coming over your head as you walk. You can tell the jungle wants it's land back, does not want taming.

I figured 30 minute walk to the tower.

With the humidity, hills, valleys and the heat, I was about an hour off.

Not as young as I used to be, and more than ever, out of shape.

I finally get to an area where the long path and short cut meet, so I am not close to the viewing tower. It is difficult to figure out where the path is . The limestone's cut away, that might be a path, or maybe those dead leaves are the way.

Walking a short distance, I come across more rotting wood stuck into the ground, and I know I am heading in the right direction.

Up the hill I go. I hear very little. I thought the jungle would be full of noise - birds, insects, maybe some animals - but, relatively quiet. I am the only one here - do not want to slip or do anything stupid. If I hurt myself here, I will be one suffering dude!

Finally, the viewing tower comes into view from the jungle. This has been here awhile. The boards came up the way I did, on the backs of people who thought this was important to build.

Good for them, as I would never do anything close to lugging boards and beams to build a stupid tower a mile on a mountain!

Someone did, and if they built the stupid thing, I'd climb the stupid thing!

So, up the hill I went, and looked close at the tower.

Steps are real close together! And steep - almost like climbing a ladder.

Up I go, slow and easy. Seems sturdy enough. There are two levels, and I rest and ponder a bit before I attack the second set of steps. Ready and eager, I move up the last steps, and have a view of Stann Creek Valley!

WORTH EVERY ACHE AND BUG BITE!

Amazing view of the valley. View of the mountains and jungle of to the south, east and west are simply beautiful.

It is a wonder that people have lived here for centuries, some never-changing their way of life for that same period. Thatched huts, no electricity, no indoor plumbing - just the basics to survive.

Quite the hike that day. I cannot remember when I've been bitten by so many bugs in such a short period. Never realized my body could produce so much sweat, my shirt and shorts are soaking wet. My calves ache, heart is pounding, and it is all well worth it.

Take the steep trail back, and I sure am glad I did not come up that way. I would never have made it.

If you make it to Belize, St. Mathew's Blue Hole National Park is definitely worth the visit!