We’ve added the Jackrabbit Mountain trailhead to both MTBikeWNC and HikeWNC. Although the trail system was designed with mountain biking in mind, it’s a pleasant place to hike as well, being close to the campground and lake. For mountain bikers, though, the experience here couldn’t be better. Purpose-built for mountain bikes as a “stacked loop” trail system, an easy, central loop (with that name) leads you to junctions with other loops that are harder as they reach out toward the lakeshore.
Overall, none of the trails here are terribly difficult – but there are some areas which require a bit more technical skill and effort to climb. For the most part, these are the kind of fast, flowing, and smooth trails you’d expect for a lakeshore trail system – similar to Tsali or the W. Kerr Scott trail system. And there’s a nice picnic area at the trailhead parking by the lakeshore to round out your trip.
It’s been nearly a year since we attended the grand opening and we wish we could’ve gotten the info out sooner. But for your patience, along with the trail info, we have full GPS maps of all the trails for you to download. Enjoy!
Jackrabbit Mountain Trailhead on MTB WNC
Jackrabbit Mountain Trailhead on HikeWNC
Jimmy Rumple
Where exactly is it? “Southern Nantahala” is pretty vague.
Jimmy Rumple
Oh–it’s not close to ANYwhere. I can’t get there from here! Definitely will try, though.
WNCOutdoors.info
Yes – directions! I knew I was forgetting something. I added directions to the parking area to both trailhead pages.
Sonya76
I’ve never been a massive fan of mixed use mountain trails. As a mountain biker the last thing you want to see as you come speeding round a corner is hikers, and vice versa for hikers.
jordan_wncoutdoors
Sonya – I think the mixed use system has worked well here in WNC. All trails on public property open to bikes – with the possible exception of Alexander Mountain Bike Park – are open to hikers as well. In general, mountain bikers should always formally yield to hikers. Doing so should be no more difficult than avoiding any other potential obstacle on the trail – rocks, logs, animals, holes, stream crossings, etc. And hikers in the area are usually courteous and move to let bikes pass, even though technically they don’t have to yield. It seems to work pretty well!
Jimmy Rumple
Curious–who builds and maintains trails like this one and Tsali, since they are pretty far from any major towns. Whoever it is, hats off to you!
WNCOutdoors.info
Jimmy – Jackrabbit was built by the US Forest Service, in cooperation with SABA (the Southern Appalachian Bicycling Association – http://sabacycling.com/ ) and the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association. Systems like this are often built by local groups working with landowners like the Forest Service. Jackrabbit is prime, shining example!
Jimmy Rumple
Thanks!