Length: 0.5 miles to 3 miles worth of loop trails
Location: On the University of South Alabama campus
If you're looking for a great nature trail, and you don't want to leave Mobile, the Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail is an excellent choice. Located on the northern edge of the University of South Alabama's campus, a group of color-coded loop trails (yellow = 1 mile; blue = 1.5 miles; white = 2 miles; red = 5K) allow you to "choose your own adventure," or distance. We did the red loop and then added about a half of a mile by exploring part of the white trail.
Scenery: A wooded oasis in the middle of a city, the trails are surrounded by native oaks and pines. It is located in the headwaters of Three Mile Creek, which you can get walk over via a boardwalk. It's mostly quiet, but you can hear cars in the distance. The northern most part of the loop (on the red and blue trails) abuts a neighborhood, so you will likely see people in their backyards. Signs are posted to help you identify the various plants, trees and animals you may encounter.
Wildlife: We didn't see much wildlife on the trail itself. But after our walk through the woods, we ventured to the nearby boardwalk over a pond and found some very friendly turtles. These turtles have grown accustomed to being fed. All you have to do is lean over the boardwalk to see about 10 of them swim toward you. We did not feed the turtles, but we enjoyed watching them. There's a sign that warns of alligators. We didn't see any while we were there, but a friend said she has seen at least one out there.
Highlight(s): The trails are less than five-miles from my house! Kudos to the University of South Alabama for maintaining these trails for students who need a break from studying and for the Mobile community itself. Now that we have "discovered" these trails through the AllTrails app, I know that we will be coming back.
Trail Markings: The system of loops is a bit confusing, but you are surrounded by a university and a neighborhood, making it very difficult to get lost. Parking is available at the trailhead, located on Aubrey Green Drive off USA Drive North. A map at the trailhead shows the color-coded routes, and there are maps located throughout the trail so you can make sure you are on the right track. We got turned around once, but quickly found our way back to the red trail.
About the Trail: The trail is named for a beloved and retired geography professor, Glenn Sebastian. A former National Parks Service Ranger, Sebastian was known for taking his students, as well as community members, out on these trails. He was honored during a ceremony in 2006, when the university named the trails after him. I have heard that Mobile is the "world's largest small town," and that may very well be true. When I posted pictures of our hike on Facebook, several of my friends said they had Sebastian as a professor and commented that he was a wonderful teacher who truly supported his students. And another friend commented that her son, as an Eagle Scout, built the benches you can sit in along the trail. Yet another reason to love Mobile!
For more information, visit: https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/campusrec/facilityrental/naturetrail.html
G says: It's a good hike to spend time with your family and see wilderness. I liked seeing the turtles - they are silly, friendly creatures - in the pond.
L says: It's a good, long trail that can be different every time you go because you can loop it in different ways. Plus, it leads to a cool boardwalk.
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