Sitting on a narrow peninsula on the eastern shore of Lake Chatuge just south of Hayesville, NC, the Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area is much more well known for its biking than its hiking.  My work site the day prior had in fact placed me at the much busier mountain biking trailhead at the southern  end of the recreation area.  I discovered, though, that just across the road from the nearby campground was a two-ish mile hiking trail which I thought might make a nice family hike the next day.  As it turned out, it was the perfect day for a hike with clear skies and the chance of hitting 70-degrees...a great day to explore a lesser known corner of the mountains...

Trailhead GPS Coordinates:  35.010824, -83.768079

Route Type:  Loop                     Difficulty:  MODERATE  (Petzoldt Rating:  3.20 )

Hike Length:  2.4 miles              Hike Duration:  1:30

Trailhead Temp:  55'F               Trail Traffic:  5-10 people

Min. Elevation:  1,900'                Max. Elevation:  2,250'

Total Vertical Gain:  400'           Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile:  167'

Trails Used (blaze color):  Jackrabbit Mountain Loop A (blue)

4-6-2013