bossco11

Is there a place on the Mickelson Trail that you can view Mt. Rushmore, or do you need to leave the trail. I see from their website that Crazy Horse can be viewed.
Thanks!

colorado dale

You need to leave trail by perhaps 10 miles one way . highway 244 just S of Hill City is shortest I dont remember how much of the road has shoulders. There are some great views of Crazy Horse on trail between Custer and Hill City
Basically Crazy Horse is the high point between Custer and Hill City

bossco11

Thanks. I will probably not try the road to MRM then, I'll stick to the Mickelson.

bossco11

I didn't ride to MRM, but Hwy 244 does have wide shoulders. However, it's really hilly and it would be quit a tug to get there. It sure would be worth it though. We passed a mountain goat grazing on the side of the road near MRM...that was cool.

The views of Crazy Horse are good from the trail. It's a bit of a climb out of Hill City, but not bad at all.

gracehowler

We took the hiway 244 from Oreville campground, about 10 miles, hilly and good shoulders, then rode into Keystone and came back on the old Hill City road, made a 30 plus mile loop. The old Hill city road is narrow, but very little traffic and scenic, hills aren't bad either. You can access Oreville from the Mickleson.
R&J

bossco11

Just curious, is the old Hill City road the one the 1880s train shadows? If so, that would be a good ride. We rode the train from Hill City to Keystone and back, couldn't believe all the wild turkeys in that area.
I stopped at the Oreville rest stop on the Mickelson the day I rode up to Crazy Horse.

metabike

Yes, Old Hill City Rd. & the train run very close to each other. By the way, the NPS is (or was, I don't know the exact status) studying the feasibility of a trail link between the Mickelson & Mt. Rushmore.

bossco11

That would make an awesome ride. I would love to ride up to MRM on a bike!