Reviewed by: tom ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
If you want to have fun, ride out the other way than what these guys recommend. I did it both ways. Day one, we went south underneath the interstate and rode to Elk Creek. The first climb (@ 4 miles) is easy. You then do a quick downhill, cross a road, climb some more single track, then its up a nasty climb from there. You come by where the USFS is thinning, then eventually bomb down to the Elk Creek trailhead. Turn around, and it is AWESOME. Once you get the first grunt out of the way, its mostly downhill. The last 4 miles back to the car is incredible.
Second day, we rode from Alkali Creek North to Bear Butte and back. Not nearly as much fun. A lot of quick up and down. You start out with a quick steepie then immediately go into a sandy downhill. You continue the ups and downs, go past a cemetary, thenFt. Meade, past a lake, over a road and up into a state park where you parallel a Buffalo pasture. Up to the base of the hiking trail, then turn around.
Both rides are @ 23 miles total.

Reviewed by: Royce , from onida sd

Summary:
That downhill section the reviewer before me talked about is a hoot.Its only maybe a mlies climb but the ride back down is fun.It can be ridden by anyone with descent skills.

Recommended Route:
Park at Alkali Creek Th. follow the trail to the north up the hill.Turn around,head down and smile a lot.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
There all over.

Reviewed by: Brandon , from Sturgis, SD

Summary:
After the first hike a bike there is some awesome downhills and some very technical riding thru the trees. The uphills stay fairly short and the downhills are easy enough for an average rider. Make sure you go from Alkali to Fort Meade, going the other way insures a lot more uphill than downhill riding, and would end with a downhill only reccomended for the "not so faint of heart" riders.

Recommended Route:
From Alkali Trailhead to Fort Meade

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Old Baldy, Centennial Trail