The Mickelson Trail was originally the Burlington Northern line that took trains from Edgemont, SD to the northern Black Hills and the gold mines of Deadwood area. The trail traverses the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. The track built originally in 9 months and 22 days, was abandoned in 1983. A group of outdoor enthusiasts recognized the trails potential, and with support of the then Governor Mickelson, it became the states’ first rails to trails project.