Description

The Jack’s Branch Loop (JBL) is one of five trails in the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail System.

Together these interconnecting loops make up 50 miles of mountain bike trail that IMBA recognized as being an outstanding, destination-worthy mountain bike trail to assign it Epic status.

Most of the Syllamo trails are singletrack; however, there are sections where the trails follow old abandoned ATV trails.

Over 70% of the trails are over rocky, rugged, and demanding terrain. The trails can be accessed from four different trailheads, plus using a connector trail out of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area and Campground.

Three trailheads are on Green Mountain Road and the fourth is on AR Highway 5 North. The JBL has the option of beginning at two different trailheads; both are located on Green Mountain Road.

The recommended direction to ride this trail is counterclockwise, beginning at the first trailhead you come to, which it shares with Scrappy Mountain Loop.

The trail follows YELLOW markers on brown carsonite posts. During the first couple of miles there are several opportunities to cut your ride short and follow the road back to the trailhead, but once you have passed the Bad Branch Loop trailhead, JBL becomes pretty remote and you are pretty much committed to riding the entire loop.

The decision to ride the entire loop isn’t that bad, because the trail offers some nice bluff views of the White River. There is a marked spur trail that connects to the Blanchard Springs Campground.

This is primarily a hiking trail which is downhill from the trail to the campground, so watch for hikers. This trail is less technical than some of the other trails at Syllamo, offering a nice, flowy ride.