West Loop

The West Loop trail travels through the southwest portion of the Chuluota Wilderness Area. This portion of the Area is mostly open scrub bordered by forest. The trail is marked with red blazes and directional signs at major turnings. From the parking lot, the trail heads south following a fence at the western edge of the property. After about 1/4 mile the trail splits into the loop. The western portion continues south following the same fence and is mostly hard-packed singletrack running through the trees, although there are views of the pasture and power lines to the west and the open scrub area to the east. About 3/4 mile from the parking lot the trail comes to the southern edge of the property and turns east on sandy doubletrack, again following a fence at the edge of the area for about 1/2 mile. From here the trail turns northward on another sandy fire line, skirting the edge of the forest to the east. At the northeast corner the trail turns west again, with a connecter heading east to intersect with the East Loop and a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) that traverses the area. Around the midpoint of the northern portion of the loop is a small pond with an observation shelter on its western bank for bird or wildlife viewing. The trail continues past the shelter and shortly returns to the split in the northwest corner of the loop, from where one can follow the fence north to return to the parking area.