more stats
2.3 miles
Distance
170 ft
Climb
-739 ft
Descent
00:23:16
Avg time
-569 ft
Altitude change
4,122 ft
Altitude min
4,860 ft
Altitude max
4,692 ft
Altitude start
4,124 ft
Altitude end
-4.6%
Grade
-33.3%
Grade max
31.3%
Grade min
1,539 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
1,421 ft
Distance flat
00:23:16
Avg time

Upper Deadman Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Winter Fat Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
  • Riding Area
    Sturgis Trail System
    Sturgis, South Dakota
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Local Popularity
    80 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
    • 5 in Snowshoeing
  • Global Ranking
    #15838 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #22443 in Trail Running
    • #39260 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Fat
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes

This is a great trail that winds up through pine trees and has some nice berms to keep the flow smooth and fast. Climbs well and is a fun and fast descent. Mostly shaded through the trees, this feels a bit like a high alpine singletrack in the deep forest.

Once the trail intersects with the Upper Deadman Road, there is a little optional segment out to an overlook. The trail leading out is nothing special, but the view is worth the extra jaunt. The trail fades a bit at the end, but if you continue to the left you can walk out to a cliff drop with a pine tree growing right out of the rock cliff edge. Very unique and interesting with a panoramic view of the valley below.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 9 rides
  • 17 miles avg distance
All
  • 75 rides
  • Last: Jul 3, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Upper Deadman Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Jun 1, 2026 @ 7:34am (America/Denver)
Jun 1, 2026
Great trail!
Sep 14, 2024 @ 1:06pm
Sep 14, 2024
Cleaned up a a beautiful trail once again
Sep 13, 2024 @ 7:49am
Sep 13, 2024
Now open
Jun 30, 2024 @ 9:53am
Jun 30, 2024
This trail is currently closed due to logging.
May 24, 2024 @ 7:08am
May 24, 2024
Trail destroyed by logging
more »
Status:
on Jun 1, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 4.24 (2 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
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  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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Slope Aspect
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to upper-deadman trailhead (44.375010, -103.543530)

        Photos

        9 more »
        14 |
        Jun 9, 2026 @ 11:02am
        Jun 9, 2026
        166 |
        Apr 30, 2021 @ 8:28am
        Apr 30, 2021
        187 |
        Aug 15, 2020 @ 11:30am
        Aug 15, 2020
        172 |
        Apr 26, 2020 @ 9:16am
        Apr 26, 2020

        Videos

        no videos have been added for Upper Deadman yet, add a video.

        Routes with this trail

        24 miles 4,026 ft 9 Loop
        Loop covering some of the best descending trails in the Black Hills region (Deadman and Bulldog). Take...
        22 miles 4,313 ft 15
        Route linking up some of the best climbs and descents that the sturgis area has to offer. Watch out for...

        2 Reviews & Comments


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        • By k4esterTF Pro BHT & contributors
        • #174486 - 2,381 views

        Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Deadman

        Where is Upper Deadman located?
        Upper Deadman is located in Sturgis Trail System, Sturgis, South Dakota, United States. It is part of the Sturgis Trail System trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 44.37501, -103.54353.
        How hard is Upper Deadman?
        Upper Deadman is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 4.6%. The climb difficulty is rated Green.
        What is the elevation gain for Upper Deadman?
        Upper Deadman has 170 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 739 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 4,122 ft to 4,860 ft.
        Is Upper Deadman a point to point trail?
        Upper Deadman is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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