Branan Field WEA – Florida Hikes - Primal Outdoor Members Portal

Nestled alongside Cecil Airport, Branan Subject Wildlife and Environmental Space presents restored pine flatwoods and sandhill habitats alongside a well-marked loop path.

Traditionally used for agriculture, the land was acquired by the state within the early 90s to guard gopher tortoises.

The path system consists of a linear forest highway flanked by two loops, offering a couple of totally different choices to discover a wide range of landscapes.

On the southern finish of the loop, guests are welcome to enterprise deeper into the protect, crossing a ditch to comply with firebreaks right into a moist flatwoods atmosphere.

Pathway up a hill with pines and wiregrass

Path by the sandhills

Sources

Overview

Location: JacksonvilleLength: 2.0 milesTrailhead: 30.202528, -81.863222Address: Branan Subject Rd, JacksonvilleFees: FreeRestrooms: NoneLand supervisor: Florida Fish and Wildlife CommissionPhone: 386-758-0525

Open dawn to sundown, leashed canines welcome.

Instructions

From Interstate 295 west of downtown Jacksonville, exit onto Collins Rd and head west 2.4 miles earlier than turning left onto Shindler Dr. In a half mile, make a proper onto Argyle Forest Rd. Proceed straight for 3 miles, then flip proper onto Cecil Connector Rd. In 0.6 mile, flip left onto Branan Subject Rd, persevering with for one mile, and the trailhead might be on the left aspect of the highway.

Hike

On the trailhead, a big three-panel show gives details about the property, together with a color-coded map.

It exhibits the matrix of pure communities. Cross by a stile within the close by wood fence to start the hike.

Trailhead kiosk

White blazes point out the route because it follows a large, sandy pathway throughout grassy pine savannas sprinkled with shrubby dwarf chestnuts and noticed palmettos.

In 1 / 4 mile, flip left on the east loop, the place yellow markers prepared the ground alongside a slender pathway.

Grassy sandhills

Turkey oaks enhance in quantity, gathering in clusters that carry consideration to their distinctive foliage, particularly in autumn.

The leaves current a gradient of fall colours earlier than dropping to the forest ground. At 0.6 mile, flip proper the place the path reaches a firebreak.

Turkey oaks

This part could also be robust to navigate relying on how lately the soil has been upturned.

Over time, the smooth sugar sand will get packed down by climate and foot visitors.

Reaching a junction with the white path in a tenth of a mile, proceed straight to comply with blue blazes westward.

Firebreak

Approaching the southwest nook of the loop, open pine forest offers option to mesic and moist flatwoods interspersed with small shady oak hammocks.

From right here, the path shifts straight north for 0.4 mile earlier than turning proper to hint an fringe of dry sandhill habitat as soon as once more.

Mesic flatwoods

A dome swamp rises within the distance as the trail winds eastward, filling the house between pine columns with dense greenery topped with tall cypress bushes close to the center.

Returning to the white loop at 1.8 mile, flip left for a 0.2 mile stroll northward to complete on the trailhead

Thick dome swamp to east adjoins expanse of longleaf pine and wiregrass

Pine savanna and dome swamp

Path Map

Branan Field WEA Trail Map — Purple: Major Path. Yellow: East Loop. Blue: West Loop.

Discover Extra!

Video

Climbing Branan Subject WEA

Close by Adventures

Path Map (PDF) Official Web site

Alongside along with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares outside adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s open air, The Florida Madcaps. An avid hiker and camper, Chris serves as a Trailmaster and a board member for the Florida Path Affiliation.

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