Trail Description:
Rails to trails from Deadwood to Edgemont. Packed gravel surface. Burlington Northern Railroad built in 1890. Four tunnels. Many bridges.
How to get there:
14 Trailheads from Deadwood to Edgemont.
Additional Notes:
www.mickelsontrail.com
| Posted by: Roger from Spearfish on 9/10/2011 |
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There are buffalo along the Trail between Custer and Pringle on the west side. I think it is a buffalo ranch. We saw many buffalo yesterday. Enjoy the Trail!
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| Posted by: D Wilson on 11/16/2006 |
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the Mickelson trail is a great reason to visit the Black Hills, there is tons of family fun, and adventure for people of all ages and physical abilities. We also went rock climbing in custer state park and had a great time with Sylvan Rocks Climbing school. The hiking aroud custer state park is great too.
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| Posted by: Jim on 5/29/2005 |
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Easy gravel trail but 3-5% grades can go on for 10 miles. Rode from Hill City to Mystic trailhead and back one afternoon, uphill out and had constant 20-30 mph headwind! Very scenic.
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| Posted by: Bill on 8/24/2004 |
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There is no technical challenge to this trail. It is purely endurance riding on a firm gravel surface that follows the old rail line. The gravel does become soft on the south 20-30 miles of trail. Grades aren't steep but they go for 15-20 miles. The scenery is great and if you're a railroad dork, there is a lot of history.
I'd say the average rider capable of finishing the trail will take 9-12 hours. You really won't comprehend the greatness of the trail until you hammer it out in one trip. It's best to start in Deadwood, eat lunch in Hill City and finish in Edgemont.
Most users of the trail will be between Custer and Deadwood.
I don't believe there are any buffalo (as stated by "Robo" below) but you will need to venture through some cattle. Be careful meeting/passing horses on the trail.
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| Posted by: Robo on 6/25/2004 |
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The Mickelson is the best, rode the whole 114 miles in one day Deadwood to Edgemont in under 9 hours. If you try this have someone in a car riding ahead of you with supplies, they can be far and few between in some sections. The surface is a reddish clay/gravel mix. 5% grade is the average but can go on for up to 16 miles at a time. Around the Mystic trailhead is the best section of the trail. There is also a spur around Lead that overlooks the Homestake goldmine that is cool. The scenery of the Black Hills is out of this world. Don't taunt the buffaloes
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| Posted by: Ride5 on 6/11/2003 |
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Six foot wide crushed limestone trail through forest and towns. Great trail for 10-50 mile (or more) days with a stay in the bed and breakfasts along the route. A very easy railroad grade trail.
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