Mickelson Trail

 Tuesday, 16 June through Friday, 19 June, 2026

We spent four days riding the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota's Black Hills. It's a great ride, although I didn't like 10 mile upgrades - the 10 mile downhills are a different story. At times the wind was so strong that we had to pedal when going downhill. Lodging and logistics were coordinated through Crossroads Bike Tours. We rode a short section of this trail in August 2017.

The official end of the Mickelson Trail, and the end of our ride on the first day. Officially, the trail starts in Edgemont and ends in Deadwood, but most riders start in Deadwood and finish in Edgemont for a total net descent of more than 1800 ft. We did a variation, starting in Rochford on day one and riding to Deadwood; then on day two we started in Rochford and rode to Hill City.

The start of our ride at the Rochford trailhead. Between Rochford and Deadwood we went through Tunnel D and over the highest point on the trail at an elevation of 6255 ft.

Between Deadwood and Custer City there are many of these gates. Trail users go through the small gate at the left. Much of the trail goes through "open range" and we did encounter cows and calves on the trail.

Typical trail scenery. The northern 3/4 is particularly wild and scenic.

Lon riding through Tunnel B on our second day. That day we rode through the remaining three tunnels (Tunnels A, B, and C).

Sue emerging from Tunnel B.

Sue riding towards the end of our fourth and final day. Friday, 19 June, was the first day of an annual mass ride on the Mickelson. We were joined by about 300 riders. It was quite a change from having the trail almost entirely to ourselves for three days. That many riders also kicked up a lot of dust.

The end of our ride and the official start of the Mickelson Trail in Edgemont. From here we had a shuttle that took us and our bikes back to our car in Deadwood.

Along the Trail

Bank swallow nest in a small shelter.

Evidence of past industry (mining and logging, mostly) were common along the trail. This is the remnants of a gold mine.

Lon at the Kirk Trailhead, one ridge away from Lead ("leed"). The tower in the background is part of SURF (Sanford Underground Research Facility) that has turned the former Homestake Gold Mine into a facility for physics research - especially neutrinos and dark matter.

A closer look at the SURF building. Unfortunately, we did not have an opportunity to go to the Visitor Center in Lead.

Hill City: The World's Largest Smoky Bear, a creation of Dahl's Chainsaw Art.

The "Bicycle Sculpture" in Pringle.

The emerging Crazy Horse Memorial sculpture can be seen from the trail.