This Land, Your Land

Belated grand opening festivities for the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail in the Nantahala National Forest are set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, and are to include group rides and hikes after a ribbon-cutting and speeches. There will be music, food and other presentations as well.

The 14.5-mile trail system at the Jackrabbit Mountain day use area just outside of Hayesville in Clay County has quickly become one the most popular in the Nantahala since construction began more than five years ago and it was opened bit by bit.

Recently a practice trail and restroom were built at the trailhead.

Saturday's event will feature group mountain bike rides led by the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (a huge force in getting the trial system built), group trail runs led by members of the Young Harris College cross country team and group hikes led by the Mountain High Hikers.

The full-service campground at Jackrabbit Mountain will be open for those who come for the trails dedication, the National Forest Service says.

The National Forest Service has issued final orders limiting the use of metal detectors and limiting geocaching in North Carolina's four national forests: Croatan, Nantahala, Pisgah and Uwharrie. The Forest Service announced the decision in March.

The order limiting metal detectors allows their use with a permit in designated areas, which include the Ray Mica Mine in Madison, Cheoah Point beach and Jackrabbit Mountain beach in the Nantahala, Neuse River Recreation Area (Flanners Beach) in the Croatan, Lake Powhatan beach in the Pisgah and Kings Mountain Point beach in the Uwharrie.

Geocaching - "storing equipment, personal property or supplies not being used in conjunction with a current visit" - is prohibited in wilderness areas, Forest Service Research Experimental Forests and Wild and Senic River corridors.

The rules are in effect until April 2015.