Trails: George Mickelson Trail in South Dakota (Middle Part)
Start: Pringle Trailhead (Mile Post 32).
Route: Ride north to the Mystic Trailhead (Mile Post 75) and back.
Distance 89 miles round trip.
Weather: Sunny. Temp: 50-70 degrees.
Low Elev 4900, Hi Elev 5870. Feet Ascended: 3880
Trail Material: Smooth Crushed Limestone.
Trail Pass Required: $3 per day.
Rating: TWO Thumbs Up.
Note: For riders with a bucket list of top ten Rails-to-Trails to ride, put the George Mickelson Trail on your list.
Another chilly start (45-50). No trouble finding this trailhead since the ride yesterday turned around at it.
Highlights of this trip: 5 major climbs of about 600-800 feet each and a few smaller hills. All climbs were easy railroad grade slopes of about 2 percent or less. Most notable about the middle part of the Mickelson trail was the addition of a stream beside the trail in many places and many rock outcroppings. The trail side scenery was stunning. Animals abundant. Wildflowers beautiful. Seeing a herd of Buffalo off the trail was an unexpected surprise.