Mickelson Trail Equestrian Connector

[Brian Brademeyer]

A study by consultant Wyss Associates is developing an Appendix to the Feasibility Study for the Mickelson Trail Connector to Mount Rushmore.  The study is currently requesting public comments.  This Appendix was triggered by the Forest Service desire to relocate the Willow Creek Horse Camp, and to see if that decision could be coordinated with the potential Mickelson Connector options to enhance the recreational opportunities of horse riders and other recreationists.

Friends of the Norbeck and Defenders of the Black Hills have submitted comments on this proposal for reconsidering horse access to Mt. Rushmore:

 

FotN Comments on Equestrian Appendix (w/o Figures), August 19, 2011, 529 kb

Figure 1. Potential Mickelson Equestrian Connector Option Near Bear..., 169 kb

Figure 2. Proposed Okawita Paha National Monument, 829 kb 

Figure 3. Proposed Traditional Use Area and Nature Trail at Willow ..., 550 kb

DoBH Comments on Equestrian Appendix, August 19, 2011, nnn kb

 

The Conclusions and Recommendations from p.5 of the FotN Comment letter are:

1)   The current equestrian access to Mt. Rushmore through the existing Norbeck Trail System and the Blackberry Trail should be maintained as the only horse connection.

2)   The best option for connecting the Equestrian Connector from the Mickelson Trail is from Tenderfoot Gulch to Palmer Creek Trailhead.  From Palmer Creek, horse riders would take the Lost Cabin Trail #2 until its joins the Willow Creek – Rushmore Trail #5, following that to the Blackberry Trail to Mt. Rushmore.

3)   This Equestrian Connector might provide an alternative (secondary) route for Mickelson bicycle users coming from the south, by taking the Equestrian Connector to Palmer Creek Trailhead and then following Palmer Creek Road to access the Hill City Connector to Mt. Rushmore just east of Palmer Gulch (routes L-M-N-O or L-M-N-P).  Additional engineering requirements associated with making the Tenderfoot Gulch – Palmer Creek connector bicycle and horse combined usage should be assessed as a possible (future) option.

4)   The relocation of the Willow Creek Horse Camp to the Bear Gulch site is the best relocation option, and would create the potential for a whole new recreational trail complex west of Highways 87/89, and even to the “Needles” area south of the Sylvan Lake portion of Custer State Park and on southeast as far as Calamity Peak.

5)   We support retention of the Trailhead at Willow Creek, but question whether the campground should be retained.  Instead, the Willow Creek site should be evaluated for developments necessary as support facilities for a Traditional Use Area. 

6)   The gentle streambanks along meandering Willow Creek below the old Palmer Reservoir should be assessed for development of an ADA-compliant Nature Trail.  Retained horse trails in the area should be re-routed where necessary to make the area compatible with wheelchair usage.

 

If you would like to add your comments on this proposal, please 

 

Email your comments by August 31, 2011, to:

 

[e-mail]