Mirror Lake to ADK Cascade trails —6.5 miles
From the south end of Mirror Lake (0 mi), the walking continues as the route crosses Mirror Lake Drive and goes between a new (2013) Hampton Inn and the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. It then passes to the right of several new condominiums to the golf house that in winter, houses the Lake Placid Resort’s cross-country center. (The Lake Placid Resort’s cross-country center is generally open only holiday weeks. If open, however, skiers should purchase trail tickets here for the ski to Cascade X-C Ski Center, which will honor the tickets.)
From the golf house, the Jackrabbit Trail follows the ski center trails down across NY 86 and then left and along a fairway parallel to the highway to a stand of tall pine trees. The trail now follows a narrow road down through thick woods and along the flat to a four-way junction at 2.0 mi from Mirror Lake. The Jackrabbit Trail goes straight ahead for another 300 yds. Through the woods before turning right at a junction. After some moderate climbs and descents, the trail reaches a vehicular bridge across the West Branch of the Ausable River at 3 mi.
Crossing the bridge the trail turns right for 100 yds. before crossing the road where the skiing resumes for 0.2 mi. along the shoulder of River Road. Past the end of the fence line (past the small barn), the trail turns sharp left and up a side road (Maynard Rd.) leading to a private road (Birdsong Way) that is plowed but not usually sanded. At 0.2 mi up the private driveway, the trail turns sharp right at a gate (a new kiosk makes this turn very obvious). The trail now descends gently to a bridge and then climbs moderately for 0.3 mi up through a clearing and on to a flat. After 0.2 mi of flat skiing, the trail makes a moderate descent to a new bridge with cedar railings including a plaque noting that the bridge was constructed in memory of Theresa Klauck, a former director of the Adirondack Ski Touring Council.
From the bridge, a moderate climb brings one to Craig Wood Golf Course. Crossing the golf course pretty much from north to south, the trail reenters the woods just to the left of a small maintenance shop and climbs gently to NY 73 at 5 mi.
Slightly New Route from Craig Wood to ADK Cascade Trails
***Updated Nov 23 - we previously reported that a section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail was closed between Route 73 and the Adirondack Mountain Club's Cascade Welcome Center (formerly the Cascade XC Ski Center)***
As of November 23, we are pleased to announce that the property owners along this section have graciously allowed for the clearing and marking of a new trail to preserve the historic ski connection between Lake Placid and Keene. The trail is once again open to the public and is already developing a good base thanks to a recent early season snowstorm. Please join us in expressing sincere thanks to these property owners for working with BETA to find a way to keep the full Jackrabbit route open for the 2022-23 season.
If traveling toward Keene from Craig Wood, skiers will cross Route 73 as usual to the end of Coyote Way, then follow red Jackrabbit markers through a small clearing before making a sharp left at a log barrier to enter the new "bypass" trail. Continue skiing along relatively flat terrain to merge with the old trail before reaching a big downhill with views of the High Peaks in the distance, and proceeding along the usual Jackrabbit route to reach the lodge at the Cascade Welcome Center at 6.5 miles.
A friendly reminder that the entire section of trail between Route 73 and the Cascade Welcome Center is located on private land and is only open to the public for winter use only from December 1 to March 31. Please stay on the trail at all times, keep noise to a minimum and respect the privacy of landowners as you pass through this residential zone. Please do not attempt to access this section of trail by parking on Coyote Way (private road) or by bushwacking into the trail from adjacent properties. Dogs are not permitted on this section of the trail at any time of the year.
Skiers can traverse the marked route through the ADK Cascade trails without purchasing a trail pass so long as you stay on the Jackrabbit Trail. If you intend to ski the other trails, please stop by the lodge and purchase a pass (skiing is free this season for current ADK members!)
BETA will continue working with the NYSDEC and the Town of North Elba to establish a new section of ski trail on state lands between Craig Wood Golf Course and the intersection of Route 73 and Mountain Lane. This ski trail was approved in the unit management plan for the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area in 2019. This new section of trail would be approximately 2 miles long and has been scouted several times in winter and summer to determine the best route.
The new trail will maintain the continuity of the Jackrabbit Trail between Lake Placid and Keene, and would eliminate the need to cross Route 73 twice (compared to the historic route through Cascade XC Center). BETA’s work plan request is under review by NYSDEC and we have our fingers crossed that approval will be granted in time to clear the route before the 2022-23 season is in full swing.
From the golf house, the Jackrabbit Trail follows the ski center trails down across NY 86 and then left and along a fairway parallel to the highway to a stand of tall pine trees. The trail now follows a narrow road down through thick woods and along the flat to a four-way junction at 2.0 mi from Mirror Lake. The Jackrabbit Trail goes straight ahead for another 300 yds. Through the woods before turning right at a junction. After some moderate climbs and descents, the trail reaches a vehicular bridge across the West Branch of the Ausable River at 3 mi.
Crossing the bridge the trail turns right for 100 yds. before crossing the road where the skiing resumes for 0.2 mi. along the shoulder of River Road. Past the end of the fence line (past the small barn), the trail turns sharp left and up a side road (Maynard Rd.) leading to a private road (Birdsong Way) that is plowed but not usually sanded. At 0.2 mi up the private driveway, the trail turns sharp right at a gate (a new kiosk makes this turn very obvious). The trail now descends gently to a bridge and then climbs moderately for 0.3 mi up through a clearing and on to a flat. After 0.2 mi of flat skiing, the trail makes a moderate descent to a new bridge with cedar railings including a plaque noting that the bridge was constructed in memory of Theresa Klauck, a former director of the Adirondack Ski Touring Council.
From the bridge, a moderate climb brings one to Craig Wood Golf Course. Crossing the golf course pretty much from north to south, the trail reenters the woods just to the left of a small maintenance shop and climbs gently to NY 73 at 5 mi.
Slightly New Route from Craig Wood to ADK Cascade Trails
***Updated Nov 23 - we previously reported that a section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail was closed between Route 73 and the Adirondack Mountain Club's Cascade Welcome Center (formerly the Cascade XC Ski Center)***
As of November 23, we are pleased to announce that the property owners along this section have graciously allowed for the clearing and marking of a new trail to preserve the historic ski connection between Lake Placid and Keene. The trail is once again open to the public and is already developing a good base thanks to a recent early season snowstorm. Please join us in expressing sincere thanks to these property owners for working with BETA to find a way to keep the full Jackrabbit route open for the 2022-23 season.
If traveling toward Keene from Craig Wood, skiers will cross Route 73 as usual to the end of Coyote Way, then follow red Jackrabbit markers through a small clearing before making a sharp left at a log barrier to enter the new "bypass" trail. Continue skiing along relatively flat terrain to merge with the old trail before reaching a big downhill with views of the High Peaks in the distance, and proceeding along the usual Jackrabbit route to reach the lodge at the Cascade Welcome Center at 6.5 miles.
A friendly reminder that the entire section of trail between Route 73 and the Cascade Welcome Center is located on private land and is only open to the public for winter use only from December 1 to March 31. Please stay on the trail at all times, keep noise to a minimum and respect the privacy of landowners as you pass through this residential zone. Please do not attempt to access this section of trail by parking on Coyote Way (private road) or by bushwacking into the trail from adjacent properties. Dogs are not permitted on this section of the trail at any time of the year.
Skiers can traverse the marked route through the ADK Cascade trails without purchasing a trail pass so long as you stay on the Jackrabbit Trail. If you intend to ski the other trails, please stop by the lodge and purchase a pass (skiing is free this season for current ADK members!)
BETA will continue working with the NYSDEC and the Town of North Elba to establish a new section of ski trail on state lands between Craig Wood Golf Course and the intersection of Route 73 and Mountain Lane. This ski trail was approved in the unit management plan for the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area in 2019. This new section of trail would be approximately 2 miles long and has been scouted several times in winter and summer to determine the best route.
The new trail will maintain the continuity of the Jackrabbit Trail between Lake Placid and Keene, and would eliminate the need to cross Route 73 twice (compared to the historic route through Cascade XC Center). BETA’s work plan request is under review by NYSDEC and we have our fingers crossed that approval will be granted in time to clear the route before the 2022-23 season is in full swing.
