Completed Mickelson Trail SD
07-15-18 | 10:00 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Life Feeds On Life
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 5,585
From: Hondo,Texas
Bikes: Canyon Grizl
Completed Mickelson Trail SD
My gravel bike was out of commission and no parts on July 4 
So I took the MTB and I’m glad I did since the trail had washed out portions due to rain but the trail overall was well maintained. Cruising slower with a suspension fork was ok after 276 miles on Rock Island Line / Katy. Based out of Custer the trail was right behind the motel so that was cool. The 18 downhill miles to Deadwood in a thunderstorm I was glad to have the MTB got very dirty and wet but had a blast being a kid again in the rain 
a 1200 mile road trip but well worth it. Enjoyed Mt Rushmore and other attractions.
So I took the MTB and I’m glad I did since the trail had washed out portions due to rain but the trail overall was well maintained. Cruising slower with a suspension fork was ok after 276 miles on Rock Island Line / Katy. Based out of Custer the trail was right behind the motel so that was cool. The 18 downhill miles to Deadwood in a thunderstorm I was glad to have the MTB got very dirty and wet but had a blast being a kid again in the rain a 1200 mile road trip but well worth it. Enjoyed Mt Rushmore and other attractions. 
07-15-18 | 10:36 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 786
Likes: 48
07-16-18 | 07:09 AM
#3
Heft On Wheels
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 561
From: South Dakota
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
It’s a great trail. The weather this year has been very hard on the trail normally very well maintained. I am lucky to have it in my backyard. It’s really a treat to ride. I prefer the north part but it’s a great trail all around. And the cows...they were a bit of a surprise to me my first tour on the trial!
the 18 uphill is not bad either. If you can handle the 100 mile trail in one or two days it’s doable for you then.
the 18 uphill is not bad either. If you can handle the 100 mile trail in one or two days it’s doable for you then.
07-16-18 | 07:22 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 45,215
Likes: 23,378
I didn't get rained on while riding the trail in 2015, but a huge t-storm with hail came through Hill City while I was camping. It was a rainy spring that year. A local in Custer told me that by mid-June they had already gotten more than a month's worth of rain. There were some washout approaching Edgemont. I was able to skateboard through them. Overall though, the trail was well maintained. They really got it right with the shelters and water cisterns.
I went south, picking up the trail at Englewood. The uphill sections there and starting at Mystic were likely tougher than they would have been had I not started the day in Spearfish with the climb up the canyon and then looping around to Engelwood.
I went south, picking up the trail at Englewood. The uphill sections there and starting at Mystic were likely tougher than they would have been had I not started the day in Spearfish with the climb up the canyon and then looping around to Engelwood.
