{"id":18,"date":"2016-12-05T15:02:45","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T20:02:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sabacycling.com\/bicycling\/?page_id=18"},"modified":"2022-12-09T08:06:03","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T13:06:03","slug":"jackrabbit-mountain-bike-hiking-trail-system","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sabacycling.com\/bicycling\/jackrabbit-mountain-bike-hiking-trail-system","title":{"rendered":"Jackrabbit Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail System - Hayesville, NC<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"Jackrabbit<\/p>

Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail Project<\/strong><\/h2>

Since 2003, SABA has been collaborating with the USFS and the <\/span>Clay County Communities Revitalization Association<\/a> to develop a trail system off of Jackrabbit Road in Clay County, NC. This is located on a peninsula on beautiful Lake Chatuge, on the NC\/GA border.<\/span><\/p>

The original 15 miles of machine constructed trails were completed in the fall of 2008, and a small practice trail in 2011. The Church Cove connector trail was constructed in 2016 with a goal of connecting the trailhead to the entrance of the campground. It also connected to a \u2018hiking-only\u2019 trail.<\/p>

\"Jackrabbit<\/a>SABA and CCCRA submitted a formal request to the Tusquittee Ranger District to construct a more advanced mountain biking trail on the Jackrabbit Mountain that would complement the existing trails and add challenge that did not currently exist.\u00a0 The Rabbit Ridge (a.k.a. Smackass Ridge) trail was completed and opened April 1, 2021. This trail is directional, having bikers and hikers go in opposite direction.\u00a0 The North or South entrance points also depend on the day of the week (see map).\u00a0 This is for safety reasons due to the trails design. The Rocky Cove trail is expected to be constructed later in 2021, and will be a short (<0.5 mile) play area with rock and dirt structures.<\/p>

All the trails are based on a stacked-loop design.\u00a0 Many of the trails border Lake Chatuge, while others meander through the woods or ridge-top. \u00a0These trails were specifically designed to appeal to all skill levels, beginner to advanced. \u00a0A bike repair stand and bike wash station were installed at the trailhead, with a future goal to construct a pavilion. The trails have become a destination site at the Jackrabbit Recreation Area in Clay County, NC.\u00a0 The area offers boating and recreational activities on Lake Chatuge, a swimming area, and campground facilities.<\/p>

\"Jackrabbit<\/a><\/p>

Proceeds from SABA fundraising events help benefit the progression and future maintenance of this project.<\/p>

The SABA Trail Committee will volunteer to serve as an advisory board to the SABA membership and officers, with a goal to:<\/p>

  1. Promote safe, high quality, environmentally sustainable, low impact trails for all users<\/li>
  2. Collaborate with existing and potentially new partners to promote trails for mountain biking and other user groups<\/li>
  3. Foster an appreciation for recreation in a forested environment<\/span><\/li><\/ol>

    SABA only agrees to construct\/revise and\/or maintain trails built in accordance to IMBA standards of sustainable trail building. Read our Trail Committee Policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Trail Etiquette<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    A quick refresher for shared trail usage<\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Join us on Facebook for listings of trail work days & more<\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Questions about Piney Knob? Contact us here.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The History of the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails and an Open Invitation from Our President...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    In the summer of 2001, the Clay County School System added mountain biking to its Pathways After School and Summer Program<\/em>. Members from the local bicycle club volunteered to teach the students about bicycle safety, skills and etiquette in an effort to promote this sport as a lifelong activity while simultaneously fostering health and fitness. During this time, the need for an easily accessible trail system for all skill levels was recognized. Collaboration began between the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA), the Tusquittee Ranger District of the USFS, and the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (CCCRA) to construct such a trail on a peninsula off Lake Chatuge on the North Carolina\/Georgia border. The construction of this trail, located within the Nantahala National Forest, soon became a community effort that included involvement of Clay County Schools, Clay County Health Department, area business, and various community organizations.<\/p>

    \"JackrabbitThis mammoth task crossed over county and state lines to neighboring communities as awareness of this trail system\u2019s impact became evident. The Jackrabbit Trail Project involved committed organizations who shared common goals: to promote mountain biking and hiking for recreation and fitness to all ages and skill levels, to promote mountain biking and hiking not only for a single community but for a region, and to help promote environmental conservation and \u201cgreen\u201d tourism.<\/p>

    Small western North Carolina communities do not have large corporate sponsors to help with the funding of projects such as this one. Our community has always been reliant on the populace of our residents to pitch in and accomplish such goals. SABA members and others spent countless hours flagging and clearing the trail path in order to reduce the construction costs of machine construction. In addition to seeking potential grant sources, multiple local fundraising efforts began. Monetary and physical donations by the areas small business leaders provided crucial gains in this project\u2019s progress. An example of the role played by small businesses was demonstrated by the clearing and grading of a 400 foot parking area, as well as community labor to construct a bridge.<\/p>

    Financial donations were provided by both the Clay County, NC and the Towns County, GA Tourism Associations, illustrating the regional impact. The students from the Pathways Program pitched in to help with fundraising efforts. Educational ventures also took place when students from both Clay and Cherokee County Schools conducted \u2018senior projects\u2019 on the process of sustainable trail building. Thoughtful planning by all partners was a crucial step in the success of this trail system. Enlisting the involvement of a professional trail builder was a key component in designing a trail with good flow that would meet the established goals and requirements.<\/p>

    \"EastNovember 2005 marked a milestone in the trail\u2019s development with the beginning of ground breaking trail construction. This start was initiated during a visit by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Trail Care Crew, who was responsible for teaching community members the basics of sustainable trail building. The final trail in this phase was completed in August, 2008. Since that time, the area has also been enhanced by the addition of picnic tables, information board, and entrance and junction signs.<\/p>

    The Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trails system is an ongoing project. With close to 15 miles of trail completed thus far, the next goal is to create more mileage including a connector trail that will tie these trails to its neighboring campground. Future plans also include the addition of restrooms, a pavilion and a bike wash station.<\/p>

    Eat Smart Move More North Carolina recently awarded grant funding to Clay County to promote increased physical activity through mountain biking. A skills trail will be constructed at the Jackrabbit trailhead, which will have optional technical features designed to help build cycling skills, such as balance. This trail is expected to be completed by the Grand Opening date of April 30, 2011.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tDonate to the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike & Hiking Trail Project\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\tYour support helps us build additional trails, replant stream-beds, improve the access road, and maintain the existing structures and trails. You can make a donation via PayPal by clicking the link below:\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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