July 7 – Lusk to Edgemont South Dakota

Posted on by Dianna
Friday
Lusk to Edgemont, South Dakota
Day 35
Miles: 69 – Total accent: 1,509
Totals:. Miles- 1,751.39 – Accent- feet climbed 61,546 150 hrs 47 minutes in the saddle

After an amazing show of force last night with the weather, we head to South Dakota with a new appreciation of nature. The sky is a beautiful blue with scattered clouds. And there is wind and we’re heading directly into it.

Deep in the pedals, we continue on Hwy 85 turning on Hwy 18 not not before seeing the most amazing site ever!! So, we have begun a pattern of taking short breaks by turning into side streets and driveways since the roads we are traveling don’t have stop signs or traffic lights. It gives us a chance to get out of the saddle and relax a minute. Off in the distance, we see a pull out but there’s are vehicle there. Not terribly unusual but we are always watchful. As we get closer, the two people are waving. And I realize it’s Mark and Roxanne from home!! My legs are no longer tired and we pull up to wonderful hugs! They have traveled out of their way just to see us and say hello. We are still about 20 miles from Edgemont. They travel ahead and said they’d be there when we arrived. Right turn on Hwy 18 and the road is a constant rolling up and down. And then we crossed into South Dakota. Arriving in Edgemont, Roxanne and Mark met us at the edge of town and helped us find our accommodations.
A quick trip to the gas station for a Powerade and cold drinks, we then went to the park at the trailhead in town for a few minutes and catch up. Good friends like these are the greatest gifts on earth. They still have quite a bit of driving to do, so they get on their way. This truly lifted us up and put us on high for the rest of the day.
Back at the hotel, we get busy prepping and doing our daily chores. A quick walk back to the gas station, we pick up food for dinner. Both being born in the 60’s, frozen dinners were a treat when we were little. While not the most nutritious, it did bring a fun moment of nostalgia!
Tomorrow, we start the famous Mickelson Trail-108 miles to Deadwood. With Wagon Train on the TV, there are lots of laughs. And before you know it, we ride into never-never land for a well earned night’s sleep.

George S. Mickelson Trail

Imagine a path where the ghosts of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane still roam; where bicyclists, hikers, and horseback riders can explore spruce and ponderosa pine forests; and the very young, the very old, and people of all abilities can enjoy.

The George S. Mickelson Trail, in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills.  Much of the trail passes through National Forest Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned land, where the trail use is restricted to the trail only.

The trail is 109 miles long and contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. The trail surface is primarily crushed limestone and gravel. There are 15 trailheads, all of which offer parking, self-sale trail pass stations, vault toilets, and tables.

A majority of the trail does not exceed a 4% grade, but parts of the trail are considered strenuous. Dumont is the highest point and the 19 mile stretch from Deadwood to Dumont is the longest incline.

Note: Poor to non-existent cell phone coverage on the trail.

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