Preserving over 2,100 acres round its namesake waterway, Moses Creek Conservation Space is one among a number of contiguous properties defending fragile ecosystems alongside the Matanzas River south of St. Augustine.
A mosaic of pure communities spans the property, offering habitats for an array of various crops and animals.
A preferred spot for climbing, the conservation space additionally options off-road bike trails, a reservable group camp space, and a primary come, first serve primitive campsite.
Though there is no such thing as a launch on web site, paddlers usually journey up the creek throughout excessive tide to one among two touchdown spots with picnic tables.
Bridge over a tannic creekAssets
Overview
Location: Crescent BeachLength: 11.8 milesTrailhead: 29.757556, -81.275972Address: 1300 SR 206 E, St. AugustineFees: FreeRestrooms: NoneLand supervisor: St. Johns Water Administration DistrictPhone: 386-329-4404
Open 24 hours a day, leashed canine welcome.
Instructions
Hike
Beginning on the trailhead kiosk, head by a niche within the fence to observe white diamond formed markers alongside a large entry street.
Shiny blueberry and pennyroyal cluster in sunny spots alongside the path as tall slash pines rise from a shrubby understory of noticed palm, fetterbush, and gallberry.
Mesic pine flatwoodsThe place a spur path branches off to the group campsite at a half mile, proceed straight because the mesic flatwoods group regularly transitions to wash habitat.
Small, shrubby clusters of Florida rosemary emerge from a sandy pathway surrounded by scrub oak, rusty lyonia, and crowded stands of sand pine.
Florida rosemary within the scrubClose to the one mile mark, enter a blended forest the place a cover of oak, magnolia, and hickory solid dappled shade onto a forest ground dotted with coonties, palmettos, and grasses.
Clusters of orchids cling to craggy tree trunks, thriving in humid circumstances below dense tree cowl.
Greenfly orchids in bloomFlip proper on the subsequent junction for a half mile spherical journey detour to a picturesque bluff overlooking Moses Creek.
A picnic desk sits on the prime of the bluff, providing a spot to relaxation with panoramic views of the expansive salt marshes.
On the opposite aspect of this elevated level, a floating dock supplies entry from the water.
Picnic spot on the bluffPersevering with north from the spur, yellow path markers cleared the path as the trail crosses a tannic stream earlier than rising from the woods at one other sandy scrub ecosystem.
At 2.4 miles, flip proper on the purple path, following a smooth sugar sand street for one mile to a bridge crossing on the backside of a small valley.
Stream crossingParallel a fence line on the north finish of the property for a number of hundred ft then flip south, passing by a sandhill habitat present process restoration efforts.
Common prescribed burns and the removing of sand pines have allowed wildflowers and wiregrass to carpet the open savannas.
Sandhill habitatA gradual descent over the following 2.3 miles brings the path from scrubby to moist flatwoods, the place the trail will be underwater in spots.
Emerge from a blended hammock to path’s finish at Murat’s Level. A fork on the finish of the path supplies entry to the campsite.
It sits atop a scenic bluff. A separate picnic desk is south of the campsite for day hikers.
From this finish level, retrace the identical route again to the trailhead minus the aspect journey, reaching the parking space after 5.8 miles to finish this 11.8 mile hike.
Campsite overlooking the salt marshesPath Map
Discover Extra!
Video
Climbing Moses Creek Conservation Space
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Path Map (PDF) Official Web site
