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George S Mickelson Trail: Advanced End-to-End #41

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6 Days – 190 miles
Availability : June 1 through Mid-July and Mid-August to the end of September – SUN or MON
Deadwood
Edgemont
Min Age : 12
Max People : 8

George S Mickelson Trail

Deadwood to Edgemont

On our George S Mickelson Trail self-guided tour is a “rail to trail” tour. Discover unrivaled natural beauty, geologic wonders and an abundance of wildlife in combination with historic ghost towns, train trestles, bridges and tunnels, reminders of a bygone era.

6 Days – 190 miles

Start Dates:
June 1 through Mid July – Start Day: SUN or MON
Mid August to the end of September – Start Day: SUN or MON

Note: NO departures from Mid July to Mid August due to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Add a day! Break up the 50-mile day from Deadwood to Hill City. See details below!

DetailItineraryMapPhotosReviews
$1295 per person/double occupancy

George S Mickelson Trail: Deadwood to Edgemont

Independent Tourist is excited to introduce a new departure for the summer of 2020!!  Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota, one of the nation’s most scenic, historic and memorable cycling adventures awaits, the 109 mile George S Mickelson Trail.  This converted “Rail to Trail” once provided the booming “Wild West” mining community of Deadwood with a means to transport ore, supplies and people along its rugged path. As you cycle this well maintained, but challenging trail, you will discover unrivaled natural beauty, geologic wonders and an abundance of wildlife in combination with historic ghost towns, train trestles, bridges and tunnels, reminders of a bygone era. 

We will offer this longer, 6 day tour which includes 2 days of road cycling. This tour is considered advanced due to long continuous grades and higher elevations than most rail trails and our other locations. Note: The 2 days of road cycling routes require fitness to handle the higher mileage and substantial elevation changes along with more advanced skills to safely navigate the many railroad crossings and the few cattle guards encountered on the final day.  

Add a day! The 50 miles of the Mickelson trail from Deadwood to Hill City contains many points of interest, tunnels and is arguably the most beautiful section of the trail. This section also contains sustained climbs totaling 2,750′ and 2,300′ of downhill! The elevation ranges from 4,540′ to 6,220′. If you’d like more time to soak it in and/or prefer to break the climbing into two days and even traverse portions downhill instead, we offer 2 distinct options. Pricing includes an extra night lodging and additional shuttle.

Option #1: We’ll pick you up in Deadwood and deliver you to the Rochford Trailhead. You ride 26 miles, partly downhill, back to your lodging in Deadwood. Day 2, we’ll take you back to Rochford where you’ll continue riding south to Hill City. $150 per person/double occupancy

Option #2: Leaving Deadwood, you’ll ride 20 miles south to a secluded Airbnb (pending availability) along the trail in Nahant. Luggage and pre-arranged groceries are shuttled to your destination. Day 2, continue riding from Nahant, south to Hill City. $175 per person/double occupancy

 

Price Includes

  • 5 days of cycling
  • 1 shuttle day from Edgemont to Hill City at the end of day 4
  • 6 nights in Bed & Breakfast, hotel or small inn
  • Lodging near trail and evening restaurants
  • 6 mornings with breakfast
  • Parking at Rapid City hotel or B&B
  • Daily luggage transfers to the next inn
  • Maps and daily route directions
  • Emergency assistance**see below for non-emergency shuttle information
  • One-of-a-kind quality swag bag

Price Excludes

  • Bike Rental
  • Any Private Expenses

Discounts

  • 10% discount for returning customer
What to Expect
  • Start Dates June 1 through Mid July, and Mid August to the end of September.
  • Starts SUNDAY or MONDAY
  • NO departures from Mid July to Mid August due to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

6 Days –190 miles— Rating: Advanced—due to regional elevations of 3200’ to as high as 6500’, extended climbs (though no steeper than 4% grade) and some longer days in the saddle.

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS –  The Black Hills area has so much to offer that it is easy for us to customize your trip with an added day or two, during, before or at the end of this tour.

Examples include:  

A: Add an extra day of cycling from Deadwood to Spearfish via Spearfish Canyon.

B: From Hill City or Custer, take a full day guided driving tour of the Needles Highway/Iron Mountain/Custer State Park loop.

C: From Hill City, take the 1880 train to Keystone for the day.

D: In Custer, take a beginner or other level rock climbing class with Sylvan Rocks Climbing School.

**The trip price includes one shuttle at the end of the Mickelson Trail back to Hill City.  Any additional non-emergency shuttling will be at the cyclist’s own expense. We will provide phone numbers and contact names for several of the local shuttle companies. 

Itinerary

Day 1Meeting Day: Explore Rapid City – elevation 3,200’

Our tour begins and ends in the hub of the Black Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota. Known for its many art galleries, brew pubs, bronze presidents and much more, Rapid City is easily accessed from I-90 and a 20 min drive or shuttle from Rapid City Regional Airport.

Lodging: We offer the choice to stay in the heart of the city or opt for a quieter night at a B&B on the outskirts.

Day 2Cycling Day: 45 -51 miles (depending on your lodging choice in Rapid City) -Rapid City to Deadwood – elevation 4530’

Today is your first cycling day. Leave luggage with your host. We will transfer it for you to this evening’s destination and each day on your tour.

We take to the road for our most challenging day of the tour from Rapid City to the village of Deadwood. A bike path leads away from the bustle of the city to a mostly quiet country road that climbs steadily into the heart of the Black Hills. Enjoy a nice break in the town of Nemo then continue through sweeping valleys up to a high point of 5250’ before descending for 3 miles into the historic town of Deadwood.

Lodging: Historic hotel, modern chain hotel or fabulous B&B upon request (limited availability: 3 rooms with private baths – 2 rooms with shared bath)

Day 3Cycling Day: 50 miles-Deadwood to Hill City – elevation 5,160’

Ride from your hotel to the trailhead (MM 109) which is the northern end of the MickelsonTrail. This is our most challenging day of the trail with a 50 mile ride to the village of Hill City. Though the 8’ wide, crushed limestone, Mickelson Trail never exceeds a 4% grade, the 1800’ elevation gain from Deadwood to Dumont is not the only climb of the day. We are well rewarded for our efforts as this is arguably the most beautiful stretch of the Mickelson with its 4 famous tunnels, mountain like vistas and multiple bridges.

Lodging: Modern chain hotel or small historic hotel (limited availability)

Day 4Cycling Day: 16 miles-Hill City to Custer – elevation 5,315’

Today we enjoy a shorter day from Hill City to Custer. The first 13 miles consist of a gradual climb to Crazy Horse Monument. Located right off the trail, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to take a closer look at this extraordinary mountain and its museum dedicated to Native American Culture ($10 entry fee per bicycle – not included in package), well worth it! The shorter day allows for time to explore both Hill City and Custer as well.

Lodging: Western log style hotel/cabins or modern chain hotel.

Day 5Cycling Day*: 44 miles-Custer to Edgemont – elevation 3,460’ *includes a 1 hour shuttle back to Hill City

The cycle to Edgemont from Custer rewards us with a predominately downhill ride! The landscape changes dramatically from the previous days but is no less beautiful with its sandstone canyons and sweeping prairie views. The ride ends at mile 0.0 in Edgemont where a shuttle will take us back to Hill City 1 hour to the north.

Lodging: Modern chain hotel or small historic hotel (limited availability)

Day 6Cycling Day: 30 or 38 miles-Hill City to Rapid City – elevation 3,200

Old Hill City road leads us to the tourist destination of Keystone following the route of the historic 1880 Steam Train whose tracks cross the road 14 times. Take your time through this gorgeous valley filled with towering stones and beautiful ranches. Stop and watch a glass blower or visit the many shops in Keystone on the way through. After a few more challenges, we find ourselves descending into Rapid City and catching the bike path back to where our adventure began.’

Lodging: You will return to the hotel where you chose to stay on the first night of the tour.

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