George S. Mickelson Trail to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Connector Trail Feasibility Study BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA Final Report September 2012 George S. Mickelson Trail to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Connector Trail Study and Environmental Review Project Team Prepared For : South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks In cooperation with: US Forest Service Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society National Park Service And a special thank you to everyone who attended the open houses, one on one meetings and shared your vision for this trail. Prepared by: With: Matrix Consulting Group, Inc. Dakota Research, Inc., Consulting Arche- ologist 2009 © Wyss Associates, Inc. Birgil Kills Straight, Cultural Consultant Marmot’s Edge Conservation, Consulting Wildlife Biologist Cover Photo: 2009 © Wyss Associates, Inc. September 2012 Copyright © 2012 by Wyss Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Wyss Associates, Inc., Rapid City, South Dakota No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy- ing, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher and The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Limit of Liability / Disclaimer of Warranty: While the author has used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this report and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of site specific applicability of the enclosed trail segments or routings. The advice and strategies contained here- in may be subject to modification based upon further study, the revelation of new information relating to the project and reinterpretations of existing knowledge of the study area. The author shall not be liable for any damages resulting from or associated with following phases of this project, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. This report is also available in electronic format from the author. For more information on Wyss Associates, Inc. and our services, please con- tact us at (605) 348-2268. Wyss Associates, Inc. 728 Sixth Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605.348.2268 Phone 605.348.6506 Fax www.wyssassociates.com [email protected] Printed at our office in the United States of America. September 21, 2012 Doug Hofer South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Director of Parks 523 East Capitol Pierre, SD 57501 Mr. Hofer, Thank you for the opportunity to work with you, the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, and your cooperating agencies: The National Park Service, US Forest Service, and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society on the trail feasibility study. The following pages represent the final version of this report and our suggestions for several routes we feel should be further investigated as to their appropri- ateness for a new trail similar in nature to the George S. Mickelson Trail. Appendix I includes public comments recently submitted. It has been our pleasure to work on this potential trail and we hope than the sponsor group finds that it is worth pursuing further study. This trail could be an incredible regional amenity for South Dakota and would traverse an incredible landscape known worldwide for its beauty and sublime presence. This document includes updated information pertaining to non-motorized trail considerations between the Mickel- son Trail near Hill City and Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. This current volume includes a recommended route for the trail. Feel free to contact us at any time to discuss aspects of this report, the routes described within or issues related to this potential connector trail. Respectfully, Patrick Wyss, CEO Mark Jobman, ASLA Fellow, American Society of Landscape Architects Senior Landscape Architect 5 Table of Contents Executive Summary Page 8 Introduction Page 12 Site Evaluations Page 32 Nodes, Segments / and Anchors Page 62 Hiking, Biking Trail Alternatives Page 160 Route Recommendations Page 174 Next Steps Page 184 Bibliography Page 190 Appendixes A - Agency Interviews B - Stakeholder Feedback C - Open House D - Workshop I E - Workshop II F - Media Clipping G - Maps by Others H - Segment Narratives Concerning Archaeological Resources I - Submitted Public Comment October 31, 2009 through December 9, 2009 6 7 Executive Summary 1994 © Bill Groethe Mount Rushmore, looking west 9 Executive Summary This study examines the feasibility of providing a route connecting Mount Rushmore National Memorial to the George S. Mickelson Trail. This route would connect one of the most treasured units of our National Park Service to the trail through the in- credibly scenic and remarkable Northern slopes of the Black Hills central core. Sever- al alternate routes would be feasible, each with its own special opportunities and con- cerns. Any potential trail route in this area is affected by topography, land ownership, cul- tural resources, historic resources, ecology and other factors. Private property must be respected and the best use of public lands must be weighed. The opportunities and challenges of management concerns present a task of identifying balancing is- sues. A route both acceptable to the driving ideology behind the management docu- ments governing the area and educational and enjoyable to the potential user is de- sired. The proposed routes include lands managed by the National Park Service, the SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks, US Forest Service, and private property limited to owners who would so desire such a trail. Management areas in the area include US Forest Service land (including Black Elk Wilderness and the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve), National Park land, BN lands transferred to the Department of Game Fish and Parks (currently the Mickelson Trail), Department of Transportation land, SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks land and limited private property. Mission for the trail as agreed to by the cooperating agencies: To enhance the Black Hills trail network by providing and encouraging recreational opportunities for non motorized users by safely connecting the Mickelson Trail to Mount Rushmore. Multiple meetings and public input opportunities helped identify the key opportuni- ties, issues and challenges that this trail will face throughout its planning. Five routes connecting Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Mickelson Trail (a trailhead in Hill City, South Dakota is used as a common starting point) are identi- fied in this report as feasible connections: 1. North/South of Norbeck Route: This 19 mile route minimizes the trail footprint within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve by following the Battle Creek Valley as much as possible and then diving South into Palmer Gulch. 2. Rabbit Gulch Route: This 17 mile route takes advantage of existing roads through the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve to create a route that has some of the long valley views and rugged upper country terrain. 3. Peter Norbeck Route: This 13 mile route is aligned to take advantage of as much of the original Mount Rushmore Road as possible. 4. North of Norbeck Route: This 14 mile route minimizes the trail footprint within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve by following the Battle Creek Valley as much as possible and enters Hill City along Highway 16. 5. Highway 244 Route: This 12 mile route follows Highway 244 from Rushmore to the Mickelson using the Highway Right of Way. 6. No New Route: Existing roads are used by bicyclists and existing trails provide good access to much of the study area already. The next step is for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks to decide, with the sup- port of the cooperating agencies, if this is a project for the Agency to pursue as the lead sponsor. If so, Department of Game, Fish and Parks could make an application for a Special Use Permit or Access Easement to construct a trail in the Black Hills National Forest, which may require The Forest Service to prepare a Environmental Impact Statement before a permit or easement could be granted. 10 Route Consideration The recommended route, as illustrated on the accompanying drawing, is provided as a starting point to the final selection process. The following describes the recommend- ed non-motorized route, going from west to east: The trail starts at Node C, the USFS helipad. A public parking area would be devel- oped as well as a bridge across the creek. The first segment includes a series of switchbacks and then meanders cross-contour to Node H, a back country intersection west of the western Highway 244 entrance trail to the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve. The trail then follows the Peter Norbeck Route Segment (Orange III) to the western side of Summit Peak. The recommended route follows the north side of summit Peak, although the south side is also a consideration, over to Node O, north of the KOA Campground. From there the route follows the vicinity of the Rabbit Gulch Route Segment (Red II) over to Node Q, where Battle Creek crosses into the Norbeck WildlifePreserve. From here the trail takes the lowest impact route through the Peter Norbeck Preserve over to the Big Pine Trailhead, Node S, which is recommended to be relocated in the same vicinity, but to the south side of Highway 244. The specific new location of Big Pine has yet to be determined. At Big Pine the non-motorized trail route includes cer- tain user restrictions. Horse and foot traffic would have the option of taking the trail from Big Pine through the Black Elk Wilderness primarily on existing trails (improved) to the Mt Rushmore boundary and continue on the Blackberry Trail to Node Z, the Mount Rushmore Trailhead. Bicycles are not allowed in the Black Elk Wilderness. Bike and foot traffic would have the option of following the Peter Norbeck Route (Orange III) from Big Pine over to the Wrinkled Rock Trailhead, Node X.