Cascade Cross-Country Ski Center to Keene—6 miles
At the lodge (0 mi), the marked route of the Jackrabbit Trail goes straight on the Beaver Run trail which leads down to a marsh. After the marsh, the Jackrabbit Trail exits the Cascade system by turning sharp left at the top of a small hill. Now following a wider trail, the Jackrabbit Trail dips down across a small brook and then up to a junction where the Jackrabbit Trail swings sharp left. (Trail straight ahead leads to Mt. Van Hoevenberg – separate trail fee required.)
From the junction, the trail continues mostly on the level to NY 73, which is crossed at 1.5 mi. After crossing NY 73, the Jackrabbit Trail follows a town road that is now usually plowed and sanded for 0.9 mi. to a very limited parking area. [ASTC has sought permission, so far in vain, for permission to build a parallel trail on state land to the right side of this road. For now, one must walk, and on most weekends ice climber vehicles fill the limited parking area.] From the end of the town road (2.5 mi from Cascade), gentle ups and downs lead to a large beaver pond at 3.3 mi with a spectacular view of Pitchoff’s ice-covered cliffs. After a short climb, the trail crests the pass at 3.5 mi and begins a moderate descent followed by a short, steep pitch down to a large beaver meadow. Continuing to descend at a gentle grade past this pond, the trail crosses two more small bridges and descends moderately to another beaver pond at 5 mi. After another 0.2 mi of moderate descent, the trail flattens as it approaches the Keene end of the trail at 6 mi (24 mi from Saranac Lake).
This trailhead is reached by road by turning off NY 73 onto Alstead Hill Road (County Route 40) 0.9 mi up from Keene. Follow Alstead Hill Road past the Bark Eater Inn and to its end 3.9 mi from Keene. Here there is a small parking lot and Adirondack Rock and River, an inn and guide service.
From the junction, the trail continues mostly on the level to NY 73, which is crossed at 1.5 mi. After crossing NY 73, the Jackrabbit Trail follows a town road that is now usually plowed and sanded for 0.9 mi. to a very limited parking area. [ASTC has sought permission, so far in vain, for permission to build a parallel trail on state land to the right side of this road. For now, one must walk, and on most weekends ice climber vehicles fill the limited parking area.] From the end of the town road (2.5 mi from Cascade), gentle ups and downs lead to a large beaver pond at 3.3 mi with a spectacular view of Pitchoff’s ice-covered cliffs. After a short climb, the trail crests the pass at 3.5 mi and begins a moderate descent followed by a short, steep pitch down to a large beaver meadow. Continuing to descend at a gentle grade past this pond, the trail crosses two more small bridges and descends moderately to another beaver pond at 5 mi. After another 0.2 mi of moderate descent, the trail flattens as it approaches the Keene end of the trail at 6 mi (24 mi from Saranac Lake).
This trailhead is reached by road by turning off NY 73 onto Alstead Hill Road (County Route 40) 0.9 mi up from Keene. Follow Alstead Hill Road past the Bark Eater Inn and to its end 3.9 mi from Keene. Here there is a small parking lot and Adirondack Rock and River, an inn and guide service.
