Jackrabbit Trail (AKA Craigwood Trails Connector)

While this trail serves as a great downhill treat after a few laps on the Craig Wood Trails, your first encounter with it will be as it smacks you in the face with its steep grades, loose surface, and punishing final climb. Nonetheless, don't be discouraged - it is well worth the singletrack Valhalla that is to come. To reach the start of this trail, hikers must park at the Roadside Parking Area off River Road, cross over the road to Bird Song Lane (just north of the dirt pull-off where you parked) and follow the gravel doubletrack up hill to a junction in a few hundred feet. At the junction, continue straight, paying little attention to the confusing permitted-use signs in the area (you're more than welcome to be here) and instead following the signs for the Jackrabbit Trail. After climbing just a short while longer, keep your eyes peeled for an aluminum gate on the right side of the road and a small passage to its right side. You're here! Past the gate, the Jackrabbit Trail descends gently through verdant deciduous forests before crossing a bridge over a small creek and beginning a climb in earnest. Generally, the trail throws steep grades and a loose tread your way in a tiered climb-flat-climb sequence through this section. You'll know you've reached the top of the tiered climb when the hill begins to fall away from you to a creek on your left side. At this point, the trail turns steeply downhill, descending a narrow, occasionally rutted singletrack over loose melon-sized rocks to a second bridge over the creek from before. Head up the steep gravel doubletrack for a short-but-painful hundred yards before the trail ends at a break in the trees and the signage for Back Nine points you to the left. On the way back down the Jackrabbit Trail (AKA Craigwood Trails Connector), be careful near the last bridge crossing near the end of the trail, as it is shady and the wood stays slick long after wet weather.