Jackrabbit Ski Trail Inspired Bike Dream
It’s February, so I’m focused on skiing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream of mountain biking.
My dream (perhaps it’s a fantasy) is of someday riding from Keene to Saranac Lake almost entirely off road.
I got this idea after reading about rides designated as “Epic” by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Under IMBA’s criteria, an Epic must be at least 20 miles long, mostly single-track, technically and physically challenging, and “worthy of celebration.”
Although a cycling friend described the Epic program as an outdated effort to promote mountain biking, I was still intrigued and wondered if an Epic ride could be created in the Adirondack Park.
The ride described below might not fit all of IMBA’s criteria, but it would still be epic. Most the route exists already. Basically, it would follow the Jackrabbit Ski Trail and single-track trails from Keene to Lake Placid and the Adirondack Rail Trail from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake. But there is a gap that needs to be plugged. The route also would be enhanced if plans for a single-track trail around Scarface Mountain come to fruition. This would reduce the time spent on the double-track rail trail.
Following is a breakdown of the route and estimated mileage.
Old Mountain Road to NY 73 (4.5 miles)
This is the most arduous and technically challenging part of the route (it’s also quite scenic). Starting at the southern end of the Jackrabbit, bikers would ascend on an old woods road to a height of land before descending to a beaver pond at the base of cliffs on the north face Pitchoff Mountain. (I’d suggest bringing sandals to wade through the pond.) The woods road ends at Mountain Lane, a dead-end town road. You can coast down the road to Route 73.
ADK’s Cascade Welcome Center (3.0 miles)
This section is problematic. After crossing Route 73, Jackrabbit skiers follow Nordic trails through the Adirondack Mountain Club’s property and then recross the highway to enter the Craig Wood Golf Course, which is owned by the town of North Elba. However, many of the welcome center’s trails are too wet for mountain biking. It’s unclear whether an ecologically sustainable bike route can be created or if ADK would welcome biking. Another issue is that part of the traditional Jackrabbit route passes through private land abutting the ADK property. If the landowner forbids bikers to cross his property, they would need to get on Route 73 for a ways.
Craig Wood to Ausable River (3.0 miles)
Once on the golf course property, bikers would follow an access road a short distance before entering a single-track network built by the Barkeaters Trails Alliance (BETA). They’d take the Scott’s Cobble Trail and Cobblewood Connector to Air & Stone. From here, I usually descend the 19th Hole Trail, but that is not the only option. Whichever way you go, the BETA trails eventually lead back to the Jackrabbit, which in turn leads to Birdsong Way and River Road. Bikers would take River Road a quarter-mile to a side road that crosses the Ausable River. The Craig Wood trails demand at least intermediate mountain-bike skills.
Ausable River to NY 86 (2.5 miles)
After crossing the bridge, bikers would pick up the Jackrabbit again and follow it a half-mile to the Algonquin Trail. This leads to Cinderella Story, a long single-track trail built by BETA that ends at a parking area off Route 86 east of downtown Lake Placid. Again, intermediate bike skills are required.
NY 86 to Adirondack Rail Trail (0.5 miles)
Bikers would ride Route 86 a quarter-mile to Route 73, then coast downhill to Station Street. Turning right, they’d soon reach the old depot and the start of the Adirondack Rail Trail. Ideally, this would be the only section on busy roads.
Rail trail to Saranac Lake (10 miles)
This 10-mile stretch of the Adirondack Rail Trail opened last year. From the old Lake Placid depot (now a museum), bikers would ride 7.5 miles to Fowlers Crossing at Route 86 on the outskirts of Saranac Lake. BETA has built several bike trails in the vicinity, which can be explored before continuing to downtown Saranac Lake for well-deserved refreshments. The management plan for the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest calls for a mountain-bike trail around the base of Scarface Mountain. It would be accessible from the rail trail, thus offering bikers a single-track option between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. This would provide a wilder experience and add mileage. There also are plans for new bike networks off the rail trail, which would give riders additional diversions.
If everything fell into place, including the Scarface trail, the route would be roughly 25 miles, with a mix of single-track and double-track. Only a half-mile would be on busy roads. Bikers would pass through wild forests and enjoy numerous scenic views. They could stop for lunch or just take a break at the Cascade Welcome Center, Lake Placid, Ray Brook, or Saranac Lake. Yes, they might have to wade through a beaver pond, but that would only add to the epic adventure.
