Mickelson Trail Ride Number 2.

We took our 2nd ride on the Mickelson Trail today. Our first ride was up in the Lead/Deadwood area; today we drove to the Mystic Trailhead which is north of Hill City. Driving through the valley to the trailhead, it is easy to imagine how it received the name Mystic.

 

The Trailhead in Mystic.

 

We set up our bicycles and headed south toward Tunnels A and B. We had been told that this area was some of the most beautiful along the trail, we were not disappointed. The ride was a workout as the gravel surface was somewhat soft for our tires due to the rain that has been falling the past couple evenings and because we were climbing a steady grade as we proceeded south.

 

The view didn’t disappoint.

 

The ride south was a steady climb.

 

 

We climbed through the valley and tunnels to the top of the grade, there is a shelter located near the crest but we rode past it to a point about 7.5 miles from where we started, we turned around and returned to the shelter to eat our picnic lunch. After our lunch it was almost all down-hill back to Mystic; the easy ride back allowed us to stop and capture a few more images.

 

 

At times the trail cuts through some beautiful forest.

 

At other times the trail rides a ridge above the valley, this also provides some great views.

 

The ride down-valley was a good time to view the flowers.

 

John approaching Tunnel A.

 

Sandy leads the charge through Tunnel A.

 

Another view of the valley from the trail.

Sandy silhouetted by Tunnel B.

 

Just a great ride.

 

The rock walls along the trail were interesting.

 

Freedom Bridge, constructed in 2001.

 

We stop to admire Castle Creek.

 

Looking up at the Freedom Bridge from the road.