Freezer safe. The trail is very scenic with plenty of wildlife, especially deer, not to mention lots of domestic cattle on the ranches on and adjacent to the trail. Just focus on a few key points that well go over later. Went with the family. Once I made it up that first few miles of uphill the ride was really good, until I hit the up hill climb near Mystic. Even during a hot summer day, a cold storm could blow in unannounced; dress in layers, or at least pack extra ones. The Black Hills are incredible. The people there are super nice. This is a trip I would do again and again. Paul rode a Redline cyclo-cross bike that he had just acquired. I was very thankful for them this trip. Five riders ranging in ages from 25 to 70 rode the trail in mid July. More importantly, however, we got advice as to where to grab a bite to eat. Your email address will not be published. As some of the other comments, Go Prepared to hit different weather while on the trail. There are some steep prolonged hills, I did 4 miles from Mystic south with the front sprocket in1 and the rear switching between 1 & 2,quite a hill for a 70 yr old guy from NJ. The trail was in good to excellent condition and both of us will share this wonderful experience with our local bike shop so others can enjoy the joys and pleasures of biking without traffic. It is easy to have your car shuttled from Deadwood to Edgemont. Can I visit both the Black Hills and Yellowstone in one trip? On our first night, we stayed at the Carsten Cottages at around mile 16 of our ride between the Dumont and Rochford trailheads. I read lots and lots of posts trying to determine if people actually ride the entire distance going South to North, but couldn't find anyone that posted about it. I went with a group from Road Scholar which provided a SAG van & divided the trail into 4 sections in 4 days. We prioritized their utility, performance, durability, look, cost, and previous user experiences. Our bike tour on the Mickelson began with both excitement and trepidation as family trips sometimes do. I loved the tunnels and all the bridges. The payoff, however, was the sight of the Crazy Horse Memorial far in the distance. Of course the scenery is awesome as are the people who live nearby the path. With 7 inches of snow on our 3rd day, Thurs., I didn't get to bike until Fri. The only maintenance item I can think of relates to the planks on the bridges. By doing this simple task, you may get idea about the quality which will make it easier to take the final decision. Tim's was a Trek mountainbike with non-aggressive tires. Highly recommended this gem. It was a great ride. Checking out carefully is our responsibility before we buy them. (I think they had some very heavy rains the week before). After Red Fern it's downhill. Be prepared to stop frequently at the many trailside rest stops and attractions and bring plenty of high-energy snacks and water. I didn't fair as well going with the incline (I guess the altitude was getting to me) so we didn't go far and returned to the trailhead (#8) We did go back the next day to Hill City and headed south to Custer. Rolling fields of green are studded with purple wildflowers and yellow prairie sunflowers. One assistant can accompany this person if needed. Comparatively, the terrain on Day 1 and the terrain on Day 2 were completely different. 25.3 km So beautiful, Theres no way to avoid long climbs on this trail, but its worth consulting a topographical map if you want to choose to climb or coast first. All the little towns on the trail had services, but there were not many towns. I would recommend this ride since it lets you see all the tunnels and covers a very picturesque section of the trail.Our other favorite ride was the wildlife loop in Custer State Park. The bridge is one of the only two made of concrete on the Mickelson Trail, and youll see an original bridge number marker on the southeast side. WebGeorge S. Mickelson Trail 11361 Nevada Gulch Road Lead, SD 57754 605.584.3896 Email: MickelsonTrail@state.sd.us Show More Amenities Biking Trail(s) Group Picnic Shelter(s) Hiking Trail(s) Historical Site(s) Horse Trail(s) Picnic Tables Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s) Vault Toilets (open year-round) Warming Shelter(s) Show More The food worker who yelled out Bicycle Lives Matter! You can be sure there were no Black Lives Matter T-shirts in this crowd. Being a jerk / offensive? I din't make it to Crazy Horse as it was evening. I would do it in 3 days. ", "My buddies and I rode this trail from Deadwood to Custer in three different stages; Deadwood to Rochford, Rochford to Hill City, and Hill City to Custer. August 2020 marked the 80th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, but thats not what took me to this sparsely populated Plains state. Use proper traffic etiquette when on the trail, and obey all posted signs and respect land owners. It's a slow, relentless grind for the first 50 miles, then 10 miles downhill into Deadwood. Most right along the trail path. The lead rider was in sunshine, the next rider was in rain, the last three enjoyed a brief hail storm, all at the same time. Staying in cabins, rather than camping, reduces the amount of gear you need to bring. In Hill City, you can ride the 1880 steam train, but in Custer, theres far more (and far better) dining options. For the past 15 years, however, Ive lived in New York City, where you can often catch me sipping home-brewed kombucha in a Bernie Sanders T-shirt. There were some hills on the trail. Around the old Lein gravel quarry youll notice the white rock, indicating limestone, which was once mined here. This stretch of the trail has a slight downhill slope from Mi 72 to 74 and is a cut and fill roadbed cut through multi-colored shale with abundant green vistas and a nice stream. High quality, heavy glass holds a true 16oz pour (minus a few drops because of the golf ball). There is proverb which is so popular to the people is, Cut your coat, accroding to your cloth. There is no bike shop in Deadwood. Just keep your eye out for them on the bridges and ride in the middle when possible. We especially enjoyed Carsten Cottages for a group stay. How do I choose a base for my Black Hills/Badlands vacation? We hoped her surly attitude wouldnt taint the whole trip for everyone else. First called Sitting Bull, Mystic was the site of an experimental operation on Castle Creek. Exploring the Mickelson Bike Trail // Mystic to Rochford Beautiful hike in South Dakota Black Hills We caught a shuttle out of Hill City and the first 10 miles from Dumont were amazing as we watched a small brook slowly grow to become a gorgeous river over the next 10-15 miles. Eric helped shuttle us to/from trail heads with only a gratuity needed. A road bike would not be a good idea. 429' Up This is a granite mountain ridge being shaped into a statue of Crazy Horse (begun in 1947), in the same fashion as the Mt. Just south of Mystic, a once-thriving mining town, trail users encounter a 40-foot-long tunnel that was blasted through rock and lined with beams cut to fit the curving contours that give the tunnel its keyhole appearance.From Hill City south through Custer, you'll experience a gradually changing landscape, from mountains and corridors of ponderosa pine to high mountain meadows and the open prairie. Located along the route are over 100 railroad bridges and four tunnels as well as 14 trailheads with parking, bathrooms and water. The trail has to actually yield to still-in-use rail sidings a mile or two before town, requiring bikers to ride in the borrow pit between the railroad and the highway. My husband and I rode the trail on June 30 - July 4, 2010. Imagine a path where the ghosts of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane still roam; where bicyclists, hikers, and horseback riders can explore spruce and ponderosa pine forests; and the very young, the very old, and people of all abilities can enjoy. The trail endsor beginsalong the banks of the Cheyenne River at Teddy Roosevelt Park, where the president once spoke from the pretty gazebo. When you finish, hang around Hill City where you can goof around for a while and enjoy a well-earned drink & meal at one of their many fine restaurants. We popped into a gift shop in Custer that had a large sign offering free coffee for bikers, assuming our spandex shorts, cycling jerseys, and helmets made it clear that we arrived on bikes. 130.91 m Up If yes, then you dont need to think twice. We continued up the path, at one point, having to squeeze past an oncoming dump truck that was depositing fresh crushed stone to resurface the trail. If you're riding a horse you may want to make sure there is plenty of trailer parking or have someone take your truck and trailer to where you will be leaving the trail. The wooden trestle bridge crossed over the road and a creek. First time to the Black Hills and really did not know what to expect. What I would do differently next time: bring a different bike!! Definitely would ride again. Different expences like manufacturing, raw material purchasing, logistics and other operational costs and most importantly compnys brand value as well are the key factors of pricing. It is dry, they need rain so is was dusty. We prefer to start in Deadwood, where there are good accommodations, and ride north to south, following the general elevation loss. The temperature changes often on this ride as you ascend and decend mountains. We were told to check either The Alpine Inn, The Bumpin Buffalo, or the Slate Creek Grill. From Edgemont to Hill City, the terrain was open, exposed and occasionally forested. This 60 mile stretch is not for the faint of heart. This was the slowest bike ride weve ever taken it was only a standard 4% railroad incline but it was unrelenting. Last month, I joined an estimated 365,000 leather-clad bikers in South Dakota to hit the open roads on two wheels. Near the former town site of Nahant, Custer reportedly shot a grizzly bear. Some of the most beautiful scenery ever. The very first thing you should know is your needs or requirement. It is not just a trail but an opportunity to see the Black Hills in all its' splendor & beauty. One of our favorites was the 1899 Inn in Deadwood. Among our group were those that had ridden many rail trails including the Sun Trail and trails in Italy and Europe. Mt. Coming into Hill City from the north you'll have trouble following the trail without the pamphlet map. I shamelessly reminded the kids of this womans amazing energy later in the day when they were complaining of being too tired to pedal. The winter scenery is breathtaking and, except for the local wildlife, youll likely have the forest all to yourself. We parked in Edgemont at the park and shuttled (Black Hills Discovery Tours. Yummm! I was on a steel Surly single speed, riding solo and carrying two panniers. There are 4 tunnels and the scenery is beautiful. We hauled our bikes to the starting point the second and third day and hoteled in the Deadwood area. I highly recommend it. Look for the ruins of old kilns. Riding the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota's Black Hills We started out heading North from Custer to Mystic. In many places the trail is notched into the mountainspressed up against granite walls to one side and dropping off steeply on the other. The first 16 miles or so were all downhill through such beautiful mountain pastures surrounded by mountains and accompanied much of the way by a lovely little mountain stream. I highly recommend this stretch of the trail. Please contact the park directly for curr, Park Size: Length of Trail: 109 miles with 15 trailheads, from Edgemont to Deadwood. The first 20 miles were downhill but then we had a 7 mile 650 foot climb that taxed us asphalt loving Midwest flatlanders . Three of the "Rusty Chain Gang" rode the trail in three days this past weekend. 19.2 km I chose to walk from mile 72 to 74, just north of Hill City SD, because there were two tunnels and a trestle on this stretch of the trail. I rode 50 miles yesterday, let a Harley rider tell me that Im not a biker! I said. best part of Mickelson bike trail for a family ride? My husband and I rode the trail and loved it. My wife, daughter, and I took a summer camping trip to Custer and the Black Hills. Once you hit Red Fern, it's a welcome downhill all the way back. document.write (" There were a couple of spots where cattle were on the trail, but luckily none of them were bulls! They are making us know those attributes by their creative advertisement too. For those who desire to repeat a section (or cutout an uphill section) shuttle services are available in Hill City and the little burg of Rochford. We started at the northernmost point of this 108-mile trail, in the old Western town of Deadwood, South Dakota (aka a touristy casino town). Over all we loved the trail. document.write (document.charset ? Each person reserving a space is required to have a handicapped parking permit. Did you do this yet? Something else? George S. Mickelson Trail | South Dakota Trails | TrailLink For the perfect terrain, you should consider using the trail on Rochford, SD which is 8 miles south the Mystic Trailhead. My wife and I rode this section at the end of June and it was absolutely gorgeous. document.write ("'><\/scr"+"ipt>"); But not everytime this practice results get good. Come back to Lead and settle in at the Blackstone Lodge. The Best Way to See South Dakota? This Former Railroad Trail We spread the ride over 3 days the 1st of June to take in site seeing in the afternoons. Im originally from Milwaukee, the birthplace of Harley Davidson Motorcycles. It's a perfect way to see a variety of terrain, and a lot of the Black Hills National Forest. The weather cooperated nicely, with minimal wind and temps that hovered around 50 degrees. Assuming they didn't have any additional mechanical issues, I'd bet they made it since there were no thunderstorms that afternoon. Going north, you climb a long hill out of Hill City, reach a crest and then descend 7 miles before starting up and even longer hill. It seems that most of the time we get biased on some specifice products of specific brands. 275.9 m Up The cows didn't pay much mind to us. There are two kinds of people. The trail surpassed our expectations. Much of the trail passes through National Forest Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned land, where the trail use is restricted to the trail only. I'll definitely be back to bike the whole length--hopefully next summer. The Ballpark Road Trail is a short sidepath, one of several in the city of Sturgis that together form a ten mile off-road system of trails. For the most part the trail is far from major highways and gives a true wilderness experience. Several entry points along the trail with parking. Great trail with nice easy grades and great scenery. There are restrooms and water at most of these stops. Our itinerary calls for arranging a shuttle to Rochford in the morning and riding back to Deadwood. I have the same question. Mickelson The 3A state track meet at the Lincoln Bowl was a tight-knit affair everywhere except in races in which Ginnie Powell competed. we did seem to have a head wind that slowed my progress, but I'm used to riding in the wind. In that case, dont hesitate to contact with their representative and ask about what you want to know. 1,471' Up 309.15 m Down, 11.9 mi For those camping, the trail goes partly through national forest where one can camp anywhere, while Hill City has a beautiful private campground (with a few motel rooms) with nice grass and a creek right next to the trail. There were quite a few gates that you have to go through because of the livestock, but they all had nice openers/closers on them that allowed you to pass through without having to dismount.The portions of the trail we rode on were new and/or very well maintained. It's an off-shoot from the Centennial Trail which often runs parallel to the Mickelson Trail. Trail very well maintained. ReusableGrocery Storage bag, Cosmetic bag, Purse bag, Tote Makeup bag, Case bag for daily use.