Hiking Rainbow Mountain & Ja Moo Koo Trails, Madison, AL, July 5, 2021

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This is a short 2.5 mile summer hike around the Rainbow Mountain and Ja Moo Ko Loop Trails in the Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve in Madison, Alabama.

The Rainbow Mountain Nature Preserve, part of the Land Trust of North Alabama, is nestled almost in the heart of the city of Madison, Alabama. But despite the urban setting, the nature preserve feels isolated and wild.

I started this hike at the parking area on the top of Rainbow Mountain and hiked around the trails in a clockwise direction, which saves the best parts for last. To add some distance to today’s hike, I added the Ja Moo Ko loop trail to my regular Rainbow Mountain Loop trail route. The trail starts off dropping rapidly down the side of the mountain, going around the Ja Moo Ko loop until we get to the bottom at the Spring Creek crossing. This is a good place to rest before heading back up. Then I ascended back up the mountain coming up to the ridge-line where the balancing rocks can be found. The balancing rocks (2 of them) and the other rock formations here are amazing. Take the time to explore them. Finally, I returned to the trail head after passing by a cell phone tower that was testing its noisy backup generator while I went by. It was a beautiful summer morning for a short hike near home.