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A 5-mile loop through open grassy forests of longleaf pine in the park's southeast preserve.


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Map Key

4.5

Miles

7.3

KM

Point to Point

19' 6 m

High

12' 4 m

Low

15' 5 m

Up

18' 5 m

Down

0%

Avg Grade (0°)

1%

Max Grade (0°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Reservations are required to camp inside the preserve.

Description

The Cat Face Loop encompasses part of the 10-mile Blue Trail located in the southeast quadrant of the park. From the trailhead by the parking area, the blue blazes lead you east passed the 1/2-mile Alligator Link. This link crosses a footbridge west to a picnic area by the parking area.

Passing the Alligator Link, the trail continues east a mile until the fork is reached, which then turns north following the south prong of Sebastian Creek. There is a footbridge and two links (Marsh and Coyote) that lead to the west side of the loop. The creek is never in view but can be reached as the loop makes a turn east. There, the Mullet Camp Trail will lead you a half-mile east to a primitive campsite.

After making the left turn of the trail, continue for a half-mile before making the turn south. At this point, there is access to a parking area at the north end of the WW Ranch Road. Taking the loop south leads back to the fork, passing marshland/swamps, so the trail may be a bit wet during the wet months of the year. Finally, at the fork, the trail leads west back the trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

Pine flatwoods, oak hammock, wet prairie. Florida scrub jays, Bachman's sparrows, hawks, etc.

Contacts

Shared By:

Ryan Spr with improvements by Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  2.5 from 2 votes

#45452

Overall
  2.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#495

in Florida

#45,452

Overall
3 Views Last Month
274 Since Oct 24, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Great egrets along Blue Trail in St. Sebastion River Preserve State Park.
Apr 10, 2024 near Roseland, FL
Open grassy forest of longleaf pine.
Oct 24, 2016 near Roseland, FL
Blue Trail starts out on nice, grassy doubletrack as it winds through pretty saw palmettos and longleaf pines.
Apr 10, 2024 near Roseland, FL
Longleaf pines and saw palmettos along sandy trail on the drier east side of Blue Trail.
Apr 10, 2024 near Roseland, FL

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Check-Ins

Nov 13, 2021
Peyton Jones
Jun 17, 2017
Michael Scott
Did not stay on cat face loop due to flooding. Hike was extremely hot and the wildlife was abundant. 6.4mi
Jun 17, 2017
Astra VanDyke
We branched off and took a little primitive camping trail that headed down to the river. Bring plenty of water as this isn't a very shady hike. 6.4mi
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