Mickelson Trail & Black Hills - Family 5 Day Guided Mountain Bike Trip

DAY 1

After meeting in Rapid City, we will shuttle to Deadwood to see some of its historic buildings before we head out on the Mickelson Trail. We are headed for our highest point of the week, but with just a 4% grade at our arrival in Dumont, the top of the climb will be a great place for our trailside lunch buffet. After lunch we will enjoy the descent along the Mickelson until we reach the turn off to our lakeside camp at Roubaix (pronounced by the locals as Row-bay) Lake. A gentle gravel road will take us to this 'off the beaten path' Black Hills National Forest campground, which happens to be a great spot for an afternoon swim. TOTAL MILEAGE: 25 miles

DAY 2

Today there will be tunnels! We begin by making our way back to the main Mickelson Trail and head south to Rochford. This section has 4 tunnels and more than 100 bridges, all built for this branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Line (the Burlington for short). You might think it was needed to transport the gold discovered in 1874, but it was the miners and all their supplies that inspired the investment. When the coast to coast railroad companies didn’t build fast enough, the locals themselves laid tracks and created several branch lines. Hard to say who made more money the miners or the railroad folks. Either way, they left us with some great routes through this beautiful area and today we will continue right into Hill City and on to our camp at Sheridan Lake. From there, yet another great spot for a swim. TOTAL MILEAGE: 34 - 42 miles

DAY 3

Today there will be massive rock sculptures! We will head back over to the Mickleson itself and ride south to the junction with the Needles Highway, before a short shuttle takes us to the Mt Rushmore National Memorial. It is the unique geology of the region that inspired these massive sculptures. The Black Hills formed from an uplift of ancient rock layers that leaves these expansive granite cliffs exposed above the tree line. Back on the trail we head on over to the Crazy Horse Memorial to get the full picture of the region’s dramatic history. After lunch we continue south to the town of Custer and on to our camp at Stockade Lake. TOTAL MILEAGE: 20 miles

DAY 4

It was A.B. Donaldson, a newspaper correspondent traveling through the Black Hills with General Custer who remarked, "The lover of nature could here find his soul's delight; the invalid regain his health; the old, be rejuvenated; the weary find sweet repose and invigoration; and all who could come and spend the heated season here would find it the pleasantest summer home in America." Our ride today will have us all agreeing with his assessment, for today’s route through Harbach Park descends peacefully through the forests and meadows to our final lakeside camp at Cottonwood Springs. TOTAL MILEAGE: 24 miles

DAY 5

Today we ride the final section to complete the entire length of the Michelson. We descend out of the forest and into the prairie. The transition from the forest to the prairie is quite dramatic on this long section of uninterrupted trail–a great way to finish this historic journey. TOTAL MILEAGE: 16 miles

Be sure to bring everything on this list. We have carefully developed this list to ensure your comfort on the tour regardless of the weather. If you are prepared for extreme weather, it is an adventure. If you are not prepared it can be a serious problem.We recommend the layering system, including a wicking or long underwear layer, an insulating layer and a weather barrier for wind and rain. This list reflects that philosophy. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed!

HOW TO PACK: The bulk of your gear and clothing will ride in the Western Spirit support vehicle (preferably in a large duffle bag) and will not be accessible during the day.

For this trip, you will need a riding pack and optional day bag:

Your riding pack may be a hydration pack, but needs to carry 2-3 liters of water, rain gear, other warm clothing, and food for the day. You may be away from camp and the support vehicle all day and need to be self-sufficient.

A small day bag is optional and may be used to store things you’d rather not ride with, but would like to have access to during the day. This day-pack will remain with the support vehicle and may not be accessible, depending on the day.

WHAT WE PROVIDE: ✓ meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks ✓ camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware ✓ 1 cycling water bottle ✓ camp chairs ✓ solar showers ✓ sunscreen & bug spray ✓ bike stand and lube ✓ guides bring their own tools ✓ first aid kit with basic medications

BRINGING OR RENTING

• Bike (Our rentals come with flat pedals. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.)
• Helmet (gratis w/rental bike)
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad

CYCLING CLOTHING

• cycling shoes
• 3 - 5 pair cycling shorts
• 3 - 5 cycling shirts
• long sleeve cycling shirt
• long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
• cycling socks
• windbreaker
• tights or leg warmers
• 2 pair cycling gloves (1 pair full length for warmth)
• rain jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
• rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
• warm layer (lightweight synthetic puffy jacket or long sleeve fleece shirt)
• sunglasses or other eye protection

CAMP CLOTHING

• camp shorts
• shirts
• warm socks
• long underwear, top and bottom (wicking layer, not cotton)
• 2 pair warm long pants
• long sleeve fleece or sweater
• pile or down jacket (insulating layer)
• warm gloves and hat
• brimmed hat or visor
• bathing suit (for solar showers on the trip and at the hotel before/after your trip)
• hiking shoes
• sandals
• rain gear to wear in camp

PERSONAL

• toiletries
• medication (daily and emergency)
• towel
• biodegradable soap
• wet-wipes
• flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• sunglasses
• optional day bag
• stuff sacks or reusable grocery bags (or separate compartments for your dry bag
• cash for tipping guides: your guides work as a team and share all of their gratuities. A tip of 10-20% of the price of your trip given to either one of your guides when you return to civilization is a great way to say thanks for a job well done.

OPTIONAL

• camera, extra batteries
• binoculars
• alcoholic or any of your favorite beverages (your guides will pack these)
• books or maps
• we encourage you to turn your devices off, but if you cannot, please bring a way to charge them. We recommend a portable USB charger with 1-2 charges. Also, putting your phone on airplane mode to save power is recommended.

Driving Rapid City is located 400 miles (6-7 hours) from Denver, the closest international airport.

Flying into Rapid City Airport Code: RAP

TAXI SERVICE Airport Express Shuttle 605-399-9999 or 800-357-9998

Rapid Taxi +1 (605) 348-8080

It is a good idea to book your rooms in advance; here are a few recommendations:

Hilton Garden Inn Rapid City 815 E Mall Dr, Rapid City South Dakota 57701. Book your room at the Hilton Garden Inn using this special booking link to enjoy a Western Spirit discounted rate.

The Rushmore Hotel 605-348-8300

Super 8 605-348-8070, 800-800-8000

Hotel Alex Johnson 605-342-1210, 888-729-0708