[1] is the starting point, START on the map just above [28]. This is the parking lot of the Ribault Clubhouse built in 1928 and now in the process of renovation. A report is available on the FPS web site. Prior to the Club was the Ft. George Hotel built in 1875 which burned about 14 years later.
        Various evidence points to this island being inhabited for the last 5000 to 7000 years. The European era apears to have begun in 1562 when Jean Ribault first arrived at Ft. George Is. and the mouth of the River of May (what we now call the St. Johns River) and hence Mayport.
        Ft. George Is. is the southernmost of the sea islands along the NE Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina coasts. Some of the marshes around the island are the only class II marshes in NE Florida. A surprising variety of flora and fauna is found on the island, from ferns and orchids to foxes and almost 200 species of birds. [ Discover the birds of NE Florida ]

click here for a larger map of the entire island.

[2] Mount Cornelia "At 65 feet above sea level, Mt. Cornelia is reputed to be the highest point along the Atlantic coastline south of North Carolina's Outer Banks. This abrupt slope marks the southern end of an ancient dune field paralleling the island's northeast shoreline." [from FPS pamphlet "The Saturiwa Trail"]

[3] End of pavement, from here on around the island past the Kinsley Plantation and back to the split near the Tabby house it is a dirt road. Note: the speed limit on the entire island is 20 mph, but be careful of human and animal "traffic" on the narrow road with many blind curves.

        The map to the left shows the bike and walking trails around the old fairways. Both the location and shape of the fairways and the trails are approximate, but should be good enough to keep you on track and get you back to the starting point. (I have recently checked them against some aerial photographs and updated the maps. CAK 23 Nov 2000)
      The numbered boxes correspond to the FPS interest points on the Saturiwa Trail brochure. The lettered points on the fairway trail are references for the description and times in the following narative.

The bicycle (and walking) trail start immeadiately across the road from the Ribault Club. There is ample parking here. You might first want to walk down to the Ft. George River behind the Club and look for the many marine and shore birds. The oaks and the palms on the way are usually melodious with birds as well.
        The majority of the trail is on the old fairways or service paths along or connecting fairways of the Ribault Club which were in use from 1928 to 1991. Some of the areas have been replanted with pines. However, in most of the fairways there is a natural progression of native plants taking place.
        On about 2/3 of the walk you will be at least partially exposed to the sun, while the rest is in the oak hammock or through the pines. Most of the year you will need insect repellant.
        The following list some points to pause and observe along the way and the approximate time between points at a moderate pace.

A - approx.15 min. after rounding the end of the fairway and heading back eastward you pass, on your left, about 30 or 40 feet from a pond which is the near the head of "Garden Creek", a portion of the salt marsh intruding into the island. Several Black Crowned Night Herons, snowy egrets, and other birds can be seen along the shore and perched in the trees surrounding the pond.
B - approx. 8 min from the pond (A) the brush here near the intersection of 4 fairways has grown quite high, and pines are starting to grow tall as well. Animals along the ground, warblers, sparrows, and other birds can be heard through here. Hawks and Turkey Vultures may be seen in the sky above.
C - approx. 4 min from B on a section of trail away from the fairway and in the pines and oaks you cross over the head of San Juan Creek. Since the creek is tidal it is sometimes just mud, other times full of water. A variety of butterflies are seen on the flowers around here. Animals and birds are often in and around the water.
D - As you quietly round this corner, watch for Osprey in the tall dead tree.
E - There is a sign here describing the UNF project to gather information on Osprey.
As you round the north end of this fairway, you have a choice. Turn right (east) and go out to the road then right along the roadway back to the starting point. ( You may be able to cut into the fairway on the E side of the road, but I don't yet have the full extent of any path along here). You can continue north toward Point Isabella. Cross the road at [4] and proceed along the fairway to the norht end (past F}. the trail forms a T, to the left (west) it leads to the Kinsley Plantation, to the right (east) to Point Isabella.

at several points (F, G, and ?s) there are paths where the trail splits, these look fairly well traveled, however at this time I haven't explored them, therefore I can't tell where they go. If you walk these paths, please let me know.