Here’s another Centerline rental Jeep spotted in the wild. Are these renters hiking Goat Hill or communicating with outer space? They are parked at St. Croix’s Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) station, which is a popular parking area for hiking Goat Hill.
Hiking Goat Hill
The trailhead is on the north-east corner (to the left from this parking area) of the station. Goat Hill has a steep dirt and rock path that is approximately one mile to the top. Depending on pace, it can take 30-60 minutes to hike to the top and the payoff is a breathtaking 360-degree view of St. Croix. From the top, you can see the outline of the island and Point Udall looks tiny. Get more details about the Goat Hill hike from St. Croix Hiking Association.
About the Very Long Baseline Array
St. Croix’s Very Long Baseline Array is one of ten observing stations located in the United States. The VLBA network is used for high precision observations. According to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory,”With its unmatched pinpoint accuracy, astronomers can measure the positions and distances of cosmic objects to determine their masses, makeup and movement.”
Looking like a giant satellite dish, St. Croix’s VLBA is a 260-ton, 10-story radio telescope located across from Cramer’s Park.