tunnels – Michael Rappa

These photos are from my visit to Mount Rushmore, including a drive along the scenic Iron Mountain Road. If you ever visit Mount Rushmore, I highly recommend first driving Iron Mountain Road from south to north. Complete with switchbacks, pigtail bridges, and single lane tunnels, it is a beautiful drive culminating in the final tunnel that frames Mount Rushmore as you drive through it. Along the way there are scenic lookouts, including one in which you can get your first look at Mount Rushmore from a distance across the valley.

As for Mount Rushmore itself, it is more impressive in person than photos would lead you to believe. It was late in the day by the time I got there so I only stayed long enough to take a few pics, though there is a hike around the monument if you have more time.

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A good look at the upper torso of Washington, which was never completed. The original intent was to carve all four presidents from head to waist.

Scenic lookout.

My first view of Mount Rushmore in the distance from a scenic lookout on Iron Mountain Road.

Scenic lookout with Mount Rushmore visible in the distance (upper right).

The last tunnel on Iron Mountain Road beautifully frames Mount Rushmore.

The other end of this final tunnel on Iron Mountain Road frames Mount Rushmore.

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota - September, 2017

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These photos are from my drive along Needles Highway, a scenic, sometimes treacherous road winding through granite “needle” rock formations in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The road has a number of one-lane tunnels cut through the rock, wherein you have to be careful and make sure nobody is coming from the other direction before driving through them.

Needles Highway was the first leg of a grand loop scenic drive I took through Custer State Park that also included the Wildlife Loop and Iron Mountain Road before ending at Mount Rushmore. If you’re planning a trip to Rushmore, I highly recommend taking this loop if you have the time as the landscape is often spectacular.

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