What's Good, Black Hills?

An all-day adventure that highlights the best of what the Black Hills has to offer.

Stay: 

La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham at WaTiki Waterpark, 1416 N Elk Vale Rd, Rapid City, SD 57703 (605) 718-7000 

Destinations:

Needs:

Two vehicles that can carry bikes, bring or rent gravel or mountain bikes, sturdy shoes, water, snacks, extra layer of clothing for warmth, sunblock (optional: flip-flops/slip-ons for car rides to let your stinky feet breathe a li’l.)

Costs: (excluding travel, lodging and bike rentals)

$5 day pass for Mickelson Trail, donation money for Pathways, lunch money at Jacob’s ($15+/ person, prices vary) Watiki passes included with La Quinta stay, money for dinner and drinks ($10+/person) at Slider’s Bar and Grill. 

---

Schedule:

• Dawn (5:30 a.m.-ish): Awake, curse my very name, continental breakfast at La Quinta.
• 7:00 – 7:40 – Drive two vehicles to Mickelson Trailhead in Deadwood.
• 7:40 – Drop second vehicle at Mickelson Trailhead in Deadwood, pile into first vehicle. 
• 7:40 – 8:00 – Drive to Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary.
• 8:00-10:00 – Stroll around the Sanctuary, contemplate the meaning of life.
• 10:00-10:05 – Drive to Dumont Mickelson Trail stop (literally across the highway.)
• 10:05 -10:30 – Snacks and water at a picnic table. Bathroom break
• 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Ride bikes to Deadwood
• 12:30 – 2:00 – Lunch at Jacobs Brewhouse Restaurant
• 2:00 – 3:00 – Drive the second vehicle to retrieve the first vehicle from Dumont trailhead.
• 3:00 – Don’t forget, in your tiredness, to return for the locked up bikes, if applicable!
• 3:00 – 4:00 – Return to Rapid City.
• 4:00-5:00 – Refresh/stretch/nap at hotel (preferably in your room).
• 5:00 – 9:00 – Enjoy waterslides at Watiki. Eat dinner poolside from Sliders Grill.
• 9:00 – Return to room. Crash hard.

Go Forth! But Tread Lightly.

---