View Tour Gallery with Mick Family Adventure Picture
This fully supported 4-day tour was successfully tested in 2009 with a family of 8 children from ages 3-19. They completed the entire trail with the 3 year old being pulled by the dad in a Burley trailer and the 6 year old peddling (all but 10 miles) a 7 speed half-bike attached to her mother's bike. The rest of the kids, ages 9-19, rode their own bikes the entire 109 miles. This tour is designed for active families who desire an energetic vacation without the hassle of cooking or shuttling of cars and gear. The additional support of a tour guide riding on the trail to fix flats and offering other assistance with the van stopping at designated trailheads providing refreshments, snacks, and a ride for those who want a breather, makes this adventure quite doable for many families. However, it is recommended that families have previous multiday outdoor adventure experience prior to signing up for this tour.
Day 1 - 17 miles with 11 miles uphill: This tour convenes in Hill City at 8:00 a.m. (you are on your own for breakfast) where guests, bikes & gear are shuttled to Deadwood by your friendly tour guides for the start of the Mickelson Trail. This first leg is 17 miles including two 5.5 mile uphill sections with a 2-3% grade. A picnic lunch will be served at the Englewood Trailhead between the two climbs to allow adequate rest and regrouping. With the altitude gain of over 1600 feet ending at an altitude of 6,000 ft. this is a strenuous day for most families. Our first campsite is at Carsten's Cabins, across the Rochford Road from the Mickelson Trail.
Day 2 - 34 miles with 7 miles of uphill: After a full breakfast, we will start the day's leg of 34 miles from the campground. After 9 miles of all downhill next to a rambling creek and through a tunnel, everyone will stop at the mining town of Rochford for a break at the Small of America, a gift shop operated by two artists who cater to bicyclists and offer great snacks and ice cream. An additional 8 miles of downhill and next to several cascading rapids and falls, will take us to our picnic lunch stop at the Mystic trailhead. Following lunch is our climb for the day of 6 miles, not steep but tiring. After the climb, we will get an incredible view of Harney Peak on our 7 mile descent into Hill City prior to riding the last 3 miles to the Crooked Creek Resort south of Hill City where a swimming pool, hot tub, and hot showers await our arrival. The evening's catered dinner will be served in the pavilion near our camp sites.
Day 3 - 32 mile leg with 9 miles of uphill: We will depart from the Crooked Creek Resort following a pancake breakfast and begin a 6 mile climb of 1-3% grade to Crazy Horse Memorial. Those wanting to spend time at Crazy Horse ($5.00 admission charge) will need to leave camp early, ride in the van at some point during the day, and be fast riders. After topping out at the entrance to Crazy Horse, we will descend 6 miles of one of the prettiest sections of the trail to the Custer City Park for a picnic lunch. Following lunch, the trail transitions from granite outcroppings to more open meadows and vistas. In 18.5 miles with 3 miles of gentle climbing, we will get off the trail to be shuttled 2 miles to Charms Country Cabins 6 miles south of Pringle. This family operated campground does have a lot of country charmed with great facilities. A hearty dinner will be served by our caterer.
Day 4 - Homestretch of 26 miles downhill: After breakfast, we will return to the Mickelson Trail to complete our final and enjoyable leg to the city of Edgemont. We will continue the transition to the prairie's edge and will ride through spectacular canyons. We will aim to be in Edgemont by noon to beat the heat and in time for a picnic lunch before driving to Hill City where cars have been parked during the tour. We estimate arrival in Hill City by 3:00 p.m.
MICK FAMILY TOUR LEVEL - Moderate
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NOTE: The Basic Fee includes shuttle to and from Hill City, luggage & bike transfer; trail pass; 3 dinners, 4 lunches, and 3 breakfasts; camping, hot showers; on trail tour guide support; and sag support at designated trail heads. We rent Specialized Sirrus Hybrid Bikes; Porter, tent & mattress services are additional to the basic fees and include set-up, take down, 8 inch air mattresses, towel service, and 2 chairs per tent. Limited sleeping cabins with bedding without private bathrooms, are available at an additional charge. Basic and additional fees do not include admission fees to attractions, alcoholic beverage, guide gratuities, and additional request for transportation pickup or delivery See Services for details.
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