MORNE DIABLOTIN

Located in the Northern Forest Reserve, Morne Diablotin is the highest peak on Dominca, at 4,747 feet. it is the second highest peak in the Lesser Antilles. The lava flows from this mountain, created the north central section of Dominca thousands of years ago. According to Lennox Honeychurch, some of the most delightful rivers spring from the wet mist-laden flanks of this Mountain including Macoucherie, Batali, Colihaut, Dublanc, Ponte Ronde, and Picard. Along the north slopes are the rivers of Blenheim, Hampstead, Hodeges, Londonderry, and Melville Hall.

Morne Diablotin is named for a pelagic bird known as the Black-capped Petrel, which once inhabitated the slopes of this moutain. It's call being devil-like. Hunted to almosted extinction, this bird is rarely seen today.

Access to the mountain is attained via Syndicate Road which starts in Dublanc, which transcends the five vegetation zones. The first recorded ascent of this mountain was led by Dr. John Imray, a physician and botanist on April 21, 1868.

Morne Diablotin stands in the center of the Northern Forest Reserve, the latter established in 1952. This is Dominica's third protected area. It includes the rainforest areas favored by the Amazona parrots, Sisserou and Jaco (parrot poster). Most recently, the government has established a fine trail through Syndicate Forest providing the ecotourist with several overlooks to the Picard River valley which are frequented by these parrots. The Picard valley discharges into Prince Ruperts Bay immediately north of Sisters Sea Lodge.

From the Syndicate Forest, there is the trail head to the top of Morne Diablotin. The hike to the top of the mountain is about 3 and 1/2 hours. This will take you through the montane forest into the elfin woodland.

Margaret and I have yet to do the hike to the mountain top (see photo above - in late afternoon the summit is cloud free). Our trips have been to the Syndicate Forest trail - a trail of recent construction which has been funded in large part by revenues raised from the donations of Dominica citizens for the protection of their national bird - the Sisserou Parrot. On this trek - you will see many of the plant species such as Tree Fern, Cecropia Tree, and Banana in the formerly disturbed sections of the reserve.

In the main rainforest, you will see a great variety of species including including some large specimen trees with huge buttresses known as chataignier (Sloanea spp.). Other trees include bois cote, mahot cochon, and mangle blanc. One of the more interesting trees is the Gommier (Dacryodes excelsa) with a smooth trunk covered with a whitish, gummy deposit with an odor of lighter fluid. This material is flammable. One of the more colorful shrubs found along the edges of the forest is the Blue Wax plant (right).