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Rolling climb and descent on classic Black Hills singletrack, through amazing Spruce Forest.


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3.2

Miles

5.1

KM

Singletrack

5,737' 1,749 m

High

5,114' 1,559 m

Low

138' 42 m

Up

761' 232 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Commonly Bikepacked · Views

Need to Know

This trail can be accessed from FS#222.2 Iron Creek Rd, from Big Hill D Loop, or Tinton Trail - Recovery Ridge. The closest bathrooms are at Rod and Gun Campground via the Rimrock Trail.

Description

A 2019 reroute bypassed the infamous rutted, steep cardiac climb, but trust me you'll still hit your max heart rate. This trail is great ridden from either direction and is groomed for winter fatbiking and snowshoeing. From North to South you'll start at Iron Creek Drainage, either from the Old Iron Creek Rd or Big Hill D Loop. You'll ride through old growth spruce forest along Iron Creek before climbing up switch backs to a nice long ridge with views of the Northern Black Hills through the ponderosa pines. With a quick descent you'll get just enough time to catch your breath before another climb leads you to intersection at Tinton Trail - Recovery Ridge. Look for the small spur at the far south end of the trail for a lookout over Spearfish Canyon.

Contacts

Shared By:

Heath Brown

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#6371

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#20

in South Dakota

#6,371

Overall
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Jun 16, 2025
Andrea Sinclair
Started from big hill th Best to ride O&B west side of a & d trails if going this way Perhaps best to start from Baldy th or iron wash. Super trail
May 30, 2025
Andrea Sinclair
Excellent trail to ride up and down! Rode out and back iron creek cardiac recovery ridge. RR is a little more difficult and not as fun as cardiac but
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