Memorial Day at Mount Rushmore
What better way to end Memorial Day than a trip to Mount Rushmore. We drove through Keystone to the Needles Highway. First stop on the Needles Highway was Sylvan Lake with a 7.6 mile hike to Black Elk Peak. From Needles Highway we twisted our way through Iron Mountain Road to end at Mount Rushmore.
Started with a wildlife spotting
We actually did not see much wildlife on this trip to South Dakota/Wyoming. There were more prairie dogs than anything. However, we saw a WIDE variety of animals in the Heart West Convenience Store in Keystone. We stopped to fuel up before heading into our day. The pictures don’t begin to show you all that was hanging on the walls and staring at you as you walked in. It checked all the animal boxes on my list.
Needles Highway
Hood Tunnel is the first of three narrow tunnels on Needles Highway in Custer State Park. It goes through a granite boulder and is 10 feet, 6 inches wide and 11 feet, 3 inches high.
Blue Star Memorial Highways are highways in the United States that are marked to pay tribute to the U. S. Armed Forces. The blue star was used on service flags to denote a service member fighting in the war. These markers are used in National Cemeteries, parks, veterans facilities, and gardens.
The Needles Highway is more than a 14-mile road—it’s a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains. The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway.
The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922.
Sylvan Lake /Hike to Black Elk Peak
Our first stop along Needles Highway was at Sylvan Lake. It had a swimming beach, boat rentals (non-motorized) such as paddle boats and canoes. People were also fishing along the lake. I had already discussed with Becky the option of Travis and I hiking while she and Kenny walked around exploring the lake area. The plan was to start on Trail #9 (white dots) and return on trail #4 (red dots), as seen on the maps below. The trail we chose going in was about 3.8 miles long (one way) with an elevation gain of about 1,100 ft.
Do I really have to do this?
Travis was not a willing participant when we started (8:45). However, he was gracious enough to go with me. Black Elk Peak isn’t just South Dakota’s highest peak. It is also the highest elevation between the Rocky Mountains in the western United States and the Pyrenees Mountains in France.
Nope, Not there yet.
Check out the arms in the photos below. He was still not excited.
Does YOUR cat hike?
As we were hiking up, we passed a man and his dog going down. After a few more steps, I saw a cat. It looked just like a fat fluffy cat you would see in a house, but the man informed us that yep, he hiked with the dog and the cat. Typical cat though since he stretched out to get his picture taken. The man called him and he jumped back up and headed on down the trail.
Made it to Harney Peak Fire Tower at 7, 242 feet
We were confused with the names constantly changing on the signs. So after a little digging around, this is what I found.
Harney Peak is now called Black Elk Peak after a Lakota elder. After several year of study and debate, the U.S. agency that oversees the official names of places has ruled in favor of Native American groups, ordering that South Dakota’s Harney Peak now be known as Black Elk Peak.
The peak also features a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. That the tower remains is a testament to not only the quality of craftsmanship, but the work that went in to its construction. The stone, cement and sand were hauled up more than three miles by carts pulled by horses and mules. Although the fire tower was decommissioned in 1967, it’s still a welcome vision for hikers that make the trip to Black Elk Peak.
Great View
From the tower you can see four states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. You can see Rapid City, Hill City, and Custer. Also from this point you can see the Badlands National Park, Bear Butte State park, and the backside of Mount Rushmore.
Climb up in the tower
Travis kept saying, “They need to wash these windows.” There was just a narrow walkway to look out all sides but wow what a view (even through smudged windows).
We might as well since we are here.
Guess who decided we were walking/climbing out across the rocks. Yep, the one who didn’t really want to hike the trail in the first place. There was not a set trail anywhere over the rocks. You just had to keep looking up to make sure you were headed in the right direction.
Headed back
Just sat out on the rocks taking in God’s creation before heading back down. I sent Becky a text that said we started down at 11:05 so it might be closer to 1:00 instead of 12:00 when we returned. She had no cell reception at the bottom but they just patiently waited. I think Becky took a short nap.
Leaving Black Elk Peak on Trail #4
The name Needles Highway comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway. By taking trail #4 on the way down, we were able to walk up to and around one of the rock formations. The pictures helped me put the size into better perspective.
Ever changing landscapes
As we rounded a corner in the trail we came upon a gorgeous hillside of green moss.
Perspective
I had to zoom in to get the picture close enough to see the tower. There was another bench along trail #4 that you could rest and enjoy the view of Black Elk Peak that you had just hiked to and from.
Aspen Trees following Mountain Pine Beetle
The mountain pine beetle population affected so many areas. These signs answered so many of our questions about the landscape. The increase in young Aspens growing in this area is due to the increase in sun they are able to receive now that the pines are gone.
Are we there yet? NOPE
Travis just knew we were close. When he saw/heard cars, he turned around and hugged me. However, when we arrived at the cars we realized it was the wrong parking lot. We had to keep going. He said, “I take my hug back.” The arrows were slightly confusing to our tired bodies and minds but we finally made it back to Sylvan Lake 4 hours, 15 minutes and 7.6 miles later.
Sylvan Lake
While Travis and I hiked, Becky and Kenny enjoyed the loop and scenery around the lake. Becky loves to see the animals and the geese did not disappoint.
Needles Eye Tunnel
We stopped to enjoy the view after driving through the Needles Eye Tunnel
Climb or not to Climb
Not climbing was my choice but I enjoyed seeing others climb. I was perfectly happy walking around one of the rock formations. We listened to an audio guide as we drove through Custer. He explained the technique of how to climb. It was interesting but not my idea of fun.
Third Tunnel on Needles Highway
Dockside Grill
We arrived at the Dockside Grill about 2:15. The hotel breakfast was long gone and Travis informed me we were NOT sharing a lunch. I enjoyed my fish and chips while he went with a burger.
State Game Lodge
Iron Mountain Road
As we turned onto Iron Mountain Road, Becky and I decided we needed even MORE pictures. My feet were still taking a break from my shoes after the hike so I chose to go in my socks only. We found something interesting stuck into the Custer State Park sign. ‘Eagle-eye Becky’ found yet another hidden rock. This time it was from #travelingturtles.
Iron Mountain Road
This is information taken from ironmountainroad.com
What makes this road so unique and memorable is not just the amount of curves and the surrounding beauty, but also the architectural features found along this road. These features include wooden structures, called pigtail bridges, and one lane tunnels that were built to showcase the American patriotic symbol, Mt. Rushmore. These tunnels frame Mt. Rushmore National Memorial like a picture frame and are a spectacular site – depending on which direction you are traveling, you may have to look in your rear view mirror to experience this wonder.
View Point and Goofy Fun
Information was taken from a sign at this lookout point. Fun times trying to get Travis to pose for a picture without sticking his finger up to point.
Peter Norbeck was a visionary senator and governor from South Dakota. He personally chose the layout of the Iron Mountain Road in the 1930s and persisted in building it, even after being told it couldn’t be done. A masterpiece of artistic engineering, this 70-mile byway includes spiraling bridges, hairpin curves, granite tunnels and awe-inspiring views. No wonder it was named one of the 10 Most Outstanding Byways in America.
Splits and Pigtails Ahead
Pigtail curves
Sculptor’s Studio
It was thought that the project would be finished in 5 years for $500, 000. Fourteen years and one million dollars later, carving ended with the death of the visionary and the onset of World War II.
Presidential Trail
Such fun to get so close to the actual monument. We were fortunate that every time it rained, we were inside. Check out how they carved the eyes. It was so cool to see up close. The videos said it was all about creating shadows.
More Food
We had quite a wait from the time we finished looking around until the ranger led program and lighting ceremony started. We chose to do what we do best and that is EAT. Travis and I shared a bowl of Bison Chili. It was fabulous. It also gave us a chance to sit inside and just rest for a while. It had been a long day already.
Memorial Team Ice Cream
The Memorial Team Ice Cream station is named in honor of the baseball team formed around the Mount Rushmore carvers. Some workers were actually hired for their pitching and fielding skills, not their carving prowess. The Mt. Rushmore amateur baseball team took second place in state competition in 1939. Impressive life-size photos of the carvers in their baseball uniforms can be viewed in the parlor while one of our friendly staff scoops an ice cream delight just for you.
Hanging Out
Kenny was reading names of people who have donated money. There is a picture below of how the rock face looked before they started carving.
Ranger Talk and Lighting Ceremony
This portion started at 9:00. It was very chilly sitting and waiting for it to begin. Being here on Memorial Day made it even more special as they honored men and women who have and are serving our country. The ranger talked then showed a video. The lights came on without much notice so neither Becky nor I got a video of them coming on.
