M O U N T   R U S H M O R E   N A T I O N A L   M E M O R I A L

Keystone, South Dakota

Next stop, Abraham Lincoln.

At the base of Mount Rushmore you'll find a huge slope of rubble (talus slope) comprising 450,000 tons of rock debris. It was formed from all the rock blasting that took place to carve out the memorial. Approximately 90% of the carving was performed with dynamite. Once within 12 to 18 inches of the desired contour, the carving would resort to more delicate cutting methods such as jackhammers, etc.

Next stop, Thomas Jefferson. He's rather hard to see. Ranger Gloria tells the crowd she has been working with the Park Service to get some of the trees cut down.

Last stop, Theodore Roosevelt. He's all squished back into the monument, it's impossible to see him well this close up.

After viewing the memorial close-up, Presidential Trail takes me to the Sculptor's Studio.