Deadwood/Lead to Farmer, South Dakota - Lead Gold Mines, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Iron Mountain Road (US 16A)

We got up early so as to be able to take in the first tour of the gold mines under Lead.  The Black Hills Mining Museum provided us a great education on the evolution of hard rock mining in the Black Hills.  It was interesting to compare how gold was extracted in the Yukon Territory and Alaska with what was being done in South Dakota and Wyoming.  Gold mining continues in the area around Lead even today; however, the industry employs significantly fewer people than at the height of the early gold mining days.  Our guide was a retired miner and gave us a very informative and fun tour as we were the only two people on the first tour of the day.  We passed on the opportunity to pan for gold as we had already done so in the past and we had many miles to travel.

Miner's Privey Rail Car

We wound our way to Mount Rushmore by traveling the incredible Iron Mountain Road (US 16A).  It was a slow go but very much worth the time riding on this amazing highway.  Pictures do not do it justice.  It was as marvelous as Mount Rushmore.  A big surprise was how much changed since our last visit to the visitor center for the National Monument.  A large modern building has replaced the rustic visitor center of days long past.  A huge, multi-level parking garage greets visitors to the National Monument.  A parking fee is assessed and it appears the  parking garage and much of the National Monument is under private management rather than part of the National Park System.  We watched the movie on the history of the construction of the monument before snapping a few pictures of the presidents before leaving.  We had to cover over 350 miles which was the longest distance traveled during the entire trip.  We arrived in Farmer after dark and were amazed to discover it was little more than a cluster of houses in the middle of no where.  None of the streets were paved and there were no street signs.  Fortunately, Google Maps got us to the right house where we spent the evening with a wonderful young family.  The house was built by the owner and our room was entirely finished in fresh knotty pine.  It was roomy, comfortable and we had our own bath.

Iron Mountain Road

Mount Rushmore Ahead - View From Tunnel on Iron Mountain Road (US 16A)

We also made a quick stop at Wall Drug for coffee and cake.  It too has significantly changed over the years.

Wall Drug