Originally Posted by serotta

What that means is the only way up Mitchell now will be through either Burnsville from the North side, or Marion from the South side of the Parkway. Up route 80, then turn Southwest on the Parkway and ride the climbs, do the tunnels, and turn right at the Mitchell entrance for a nice tough climb to the vistor's center. Be sure not to cheat yourself and stop at the Park entrance gates after the first couple of miles of climbing, go on past the restaurant, and all the way to the upper parking area.
I'm not sure of the mileage from the Burnsville side, but from Marion at the junction of 70 and 80 it is about 28 miles up to the top of Mitchell and about 28 back down. On the way up there probably isn't 3 or 4 miles of downhill, but the ride back is a blast, especially on 80 with all the twists and turns. Actually, the best place to park is probably at the 221 and 70 junction. There's a shopping center, fast foods, and a big parking lot. Parking there will add about a mile one way, so the round trip will be about 30 miles up, and 30 miles screaming back down for a 60 mile ride total.