Mirror Lake to Cascade Cross-Country Ski Center—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 a fence line. Past the end of the fence line, 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. 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 attractive 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. Crossing NY 73, the Jackrabbit Trail enters the outskirts of the Cascade Cross-Country Ski Center’s trails and goes through the woods for nearly 0.3 mi of flat skiing, after which the trail descends along an unplowed road, bearing left at the bottom of an old sand pit. Then a short steep climb leads to a junction with the main part of the Cascade system. Turning sharp left, the Jackrabbit Trail climbs gently for 0.7 mi to the lodge at 6.5 mi (18 mi from NCCC in Saranac Lake). (Those starting from Cascade and heading toward Lake Placid must pay a trail fee, but those skiing in from Keene just to the lodge on the section described below may do so without charge.)
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 a fence line. Past the end of the fence line, 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. 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 attractive 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. Crossing NY 73, the Jackrabbit Trail enters the outskirts of the Cascade Cross-Country Ski Center’s trails and goes through the woods for nearly 0.3 mi of flat skiing, after which the trail descends along an unplowed road, bearing left at the bottom of an old sand pit. Then a short steep climb leads to a junction with the main part of the Cascade system. Turning sharp left, the Jackrabbit Trail climbs gently for 0.7 mi to the lodge at 6.5 mi (18 mi from NCCC in Saranac Lake). (Those starting from Cascade and heading toward Lake Placid must pay a trail fee, but those skiing in from Keene just to the lodge on the section described below may do so without charge.)
