Mt. Rushmore Hike
This was our last and longest hike in Rapid City this year. We started at Horsethief Lake and walked a 9.5 mile loop through the National Forest with the Mt. Rushmore Monument at the halfway point. It was an interesting hike through dense forest. We only saw two humans in close to 9 miles in the forest. We also flushed up a deer as we entered into a canyon, but we weren't sure it was a deer! That was a little scary. We sure felt tender and deliscious right abotu that time. When we reached the Mt Rushmore Monument at the halfway point we were no longer alone! Below are some of the images that we captured along the way.
Horsethief Lake
We wanted to see this rock again near the parking lot at Horsethief Lake. We recalled that it looked like a little Devil's Tower. After seeing the real Little Devil's Tower, we now realize how relatively small this rock is; in comparison this rock is just a little rocky outcropping. We still think it is dramatic looking.
We took Trails 14 (Horsethief Lake Trail) and 89 (Centennial Trail; 100 miles long!). Of course we did not walk all of these two trails, just a portion of each. We knew when we came to the trail crossings we would have to choose wisely.
Map close up..
Horsethief Lake Trail Head. You must register your hike and put it in the box.
Better picture of the registration box.
The rugged and beautiful terrain started right away.
It was dense woods along a stream. There were lots of mosquitoes.
Gari is making her way along the dense forest trail.
Stream to the left, tall rocks to the right.
Interesting rock formations... there's a tree in there too.
Gari up on the rocks for scale.
Gari hopping across one of the many streams.
Gari checking the GPS to be sure of our way forward at the trail crossings.
Another rock, more trees; we love it!
Opening up into a canyon and we can see much of the ridgeline.
We saw lots of beautiful wildflowers along the trail.
Gari capturing the wildflowers.
Gari has lost her head over the wildflowers.
WILDFLOWERS!!!
Catching a glimpse of the monument from the forest trail now.
A little closer and a little more open.
A close up from the forest.
Behind a rock tower that other people left behind.
Popping out of the forest at the monument.
Walking over to the monument now.
Pausing to get another photo.
Inside the monument now. Lots of visitiors! We only saw two people over 4.5 miles in the forest!
The flag of each of our United States.
Without the people distrations..
Did we mention the people?
Just the Presidents.
Rushmore sculptor Borglum.
Gari for President!
2-1/2 hours in and 4.7 miles, it's time to head back to the lake and Pepé.
One of those giant Dandylions. Steve can't blow the seeds off with his bugnet on.
A magnificient forest.
And it was a beautiful walk home...
The Rushmore hike was a wonderful day in the forest and lunch snack at the monument.
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