Great Head Loop Hike

 

The Great Head is a small peninsula just north of Sand Beach. The western shore of the peninsula faces Sand Beach. There is a loop hike that goes along the east end of the peninsula to the Great Head, which is a rocky outcropping into the ocean. The trail returns along the western shore to Sand Beach.

Of course the trail can be done in either direction. Parking for the trail is the same parking are for Sand Beach. If hiking in a clockwise direction from the Sand Beach parking area, there is an access trail from the parking lot near the exit. This trail takes you to a short half mile trail called the Satterlee Trail the onto Schooner Head Road. From here, the actual Great Head trail begins. There is also a small parking area at Schooner Head Road so you can access the trail by driving here as well.  The loop exits at the east end of Sand Beach where the trail splits. If you parked at Sand Beach you can cross the drainage of Beehive Lagoon. If you parked at Schooner Head Road, turn right and continue to the parking lot after another half mile walk.

If you parked in the Sand Beach parking lot and hiked the Great Head Loop from there, you will have to cross Beehive Lagoon drainage at some point. The drainage water level can vary depending on rain and tides. I crossed after hiking the Great Head Loop in a clockwise direction. In the direction, the bank of the drainage is gradual and easy on the north side but on the beach side is a little steep. People have set rocks in the drainage as a make-shift bridge. You can attempt to cross with out getting wet. I managed to do this but it was a good jump from the last rock. You may opt to remove your hiking shoes and finish the beach section barefoot.  This is something I did not expect. There is no sign posted at the trail head of the hike. If the water level is high it can be much more difficult.