7/14-Mickelson At Last!!!

One of the parts of the GAWR that I have most been looking forward to is the George S Mickelson Trail. Just a little over 4 delightfully chilly miles (including a 2.4 mile climb right out of the campground) brought me to the road that ran parallel to the trail. 

Morning deer!

Climbing in cool weather is so nice!

Because I wasn’t running the route on my Garmin, I pulled out my phone. The route went up the hwy before getting to the trail. However, I noticed there was a connector just across the road. I took it! It was a wee bit of hike-a-bike, but it spit me out onto the trail. 

See what the bench says?

Mickelson Trail!

The trail was climbing for another mile and a half, just like the road, but oh so much nicer! Once I finished the climb, it was miles of gentle railroad grade downhill. 

I started the trail at MP 96

Several gates

Dumont Trailhead

Meadows

Trestles

Info signs

This one was interesting. The building was sided with the lids from cyanide barrels used in mining. The sign says people must not have been concerned about it. 

Often reminded me of the Willapa Hills Trail

I went through tunnels too. 

They are lettered on my route

Didn’t really need my headlight

Lovely creek along the way

Snack time on a bench

The Mystic Trailhead. Here there was a water pump. I filled my bottle when I realized I had miscalculated the miles I had left.

I thought I only had about 6 miles to Hill City

Mystic school room? Church?

Wanda and a tunnel

About the tunnels

Horses!

From the Mystic Trailhead, it was about a 5 mile climb. I had talked to four people on e-bikes. They passed me on the climb. There were arguably more e-bikes on the trail than “analog” bikes. When the horses went by me, one rider said, “Nice e-bike!” Of course I said, “It’s NOT an e-bike!”

The last 4ish miles were downhill to Hill City. 

Not surprisingly, there is a big train theme in Hill City!

I was looking up possible hotels, when Ken and Vivian rode up behind me. They were staying in the Ameri-Inn nearby, so I just decided to stay there too. Believe it or not, this place is cheaper than that dump I stayed in in Broadus!

Luxury

Laundry is done, and everything is charging. Vivian and Ken and I went to an early dinner at the Hill City Cafe. It was pretty good. I was able to get a small fuel canister at the outfitter next door. after dinner, we went to the grocery store. I was able to get everything on my list (even more magnesium glycinate). Now I’ll upload this post, and relax for the remainder of the evening. Tomorrow will be Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and more Mickelson Trail!