The 22nd Annual Mickelson Trail Trek will be held here in Custer on September 20 -22, 2019. This is an annual event that takes place along the George S. Mickelson Trail, which traverses over 100 miles through the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The extent of the George S. Mickelson Trail was completed in 1998 and named after the South Dakota governor who first pursued the project. The trail is a rails-to trails-project, and the first one completed in South Dakota. The trail “follows the route of an abandoned railroad branch line constructed by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad in 1890-91 and last operated by the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1986.”

The Mickelson Trail runs north-south through the Black Hills from the mountains of Deadwood to the southern plains in Edgemont. There are four tunnels along the way and the trail also includes over 100 railroad bridges that have been converted for bicycle use.

The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks maintains the trail.

Here is the Mickelson Trail Trek Description from SDGFP:

The Trail Trek is a 3-day, 109-mile supported bicycle ride through the heart of the Black Hills on the George S. Mickelson Trail. This ride is a wonderful way to see the beauty of the Black Hills that can't be seen from the road. The ride will take you through four hard rock tunnels, over more than 100 trestle bridges, through several beautiful areas and will leave you with many wonderful memories.

The Custer Chamber hosts a reception for the Trail Trek participants on Thursday night.  We also provide coffee, bananas and granola bars on Friday and Saturday mornings to participants prior to their departure for the day.

FYI: Registration for 2019 is CLOSED but there is always next year!

Event information: https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=130719

SDGFP: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/george-s--mickelson-trail/

Cover photo by: Toby Brusseau