TUCKER VALLEY/DIEGO MARTIN LOOP HIKE

The Chaguaramas Peninsula was designated a National Heritage Park in 1975 with the objectives of: Conservation and protection of biodiversity such as the red howler monkey; Preservation of ecological, historical and archaeological resources. Amerindian sites dating back to 100 to 700 A.D. can be found on Chacachacare Island. The Bamboo Cathedral also known as the Bamboo Cazabon is just one of many features of the Chaguaramas Peninsular. It's an almost 1000 feet stretch of bamboo on the Tracking Station Road that arches over either side of the road forming a tunnel. It was painted by 19th century Jean Michel Cazabon (Sept.1813- Nov. 1888) one of Trinidad's first internationally renowned landscape and historic artists. The British under whose rule Trinidad were at the time during the second world war, leased Chaguaramas to the US to develop the largest naval base in the Caribbean. Today underground and hillside ammunition bunkers remain to tell a tale of an era from the past. Hiking in such an area with historic significance and rich heritage became a stirring and emotive adventure. Because of it's proximity to our present Defence Force Headquarters wildlife enjoy a permanent hiatus from hunters. This has allowed wildlife and the ever-present red howler monkey to flourish in abundance. And while hiking and hearing the howls before I had never been lucky to actually see them. That would change today as I was able to see a family in the overhead trees and then another single male posing for some photos. Hiking today was along a past Fusion trail and the track itself remains in pretty good condition. On the return loop, large rock formations pushed out expresses a geological tale of just how our Northern Mountain Range was formed. Sorry forgot to take those pics. The track would then bust out 2 miles up on the Tracking Station Road. Today I diverted to view this other prominent feature of years past.
It's the US built BMEWS early warning radar site. A missile tracking site on the U.S. Air force Eastern Test Range. This array was part of the first operational Ballistic Missile detection system. Wikipedia describes this type of dish as "AN/FPS-92 Dish 85 feet (26 m) in diameter, installed in a large radome. One fence antenna covered a 40-degree sector of the horizon, for a total site coverage of 120 degrees. The full BMEWS radar network became operational in the early 1960s. Imagine the lives of so many affected in the past and the ghosts caused thereof. I said a silent prayer for the many slain on both sides. Heading back down the mountain I would then be faced with present day Piarco Radar Tracking Station on the opposite mountain. It resembles a giant white football and can be usually seen for miles around in different directions. But that another hike. Then you come up on the lookout with it's magnificent views and howling winds. It's scenic peaceful and rewarding. Gosh hiking can be just so much fun.