At only two miles in length, this is one of the shortest road journeys that I have come to journey upon. However, short on incredible views, it is not!

Located in the heart of Rapid City, South Dakota, the Skyline Drive is in the Skyline Wilderness Area which is atop the western edge of the Eastern Area of the Middle Rockies Ecosystem in South Dakota. This relatively small outcrop of the Rocky Mountains is entirely surrounded by the Northwestern Great Plains ecoregion.

With the best views of Rapid City and the surrounding northwest plains, this drive stretches across the top of a ridge line of the of the Middle Rocky mountains and contains countless scenic views of the vast landscape below. There are many parking locations along the drive where one may access a great view or even a great hike, because of the many trails found throughout the more than 150 acres that is the Skyline Wilderness Area.

Further, the trails can be reached from several different trailheads access roads, including Quincy Street on the north, Flormann Street near the center portion, and Tower Road from the south. Depending on which trail you are on, the paths within the Skyline Wilderness Area are quieter than the trails in Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park (HLMP, know to the locals as M-Hill or Cowboy Hill) as the Skyline Wilderness area tends to be a bit more secluded.

Because the Wilderness area encompasses a highland area of the top of the hillside, the trails tend to be relatively level single tracks. These trails also offer stunning views of town and the surrounding countryside.

Construction Began: February 1936

Dedicated: 22 May 1936

Skyline Drive, Quincy Street

Skyline Wilderness West Dinosaur Trailhead

Skyline Wilderness East St Cloud Entrance

Skyline Drive, Flormann Street Entrance

Skyline Drive: Skyline Wilderness Area Park Ends Here

Skyline Drive: Tower Road Entrance

(roadside parking only)

(roadside parking only)

Alcoholic Beverages are Prohibited in Park.

Animals must be on a Leash.

No Parking on the Grass.

I wait until this evening, and seeing that most of the smoke has moved out of this area, pack out of the w-mart and drive to the north entrance for a photo shoot of this road journey path.

I had already created the new road journey page on my web site yesterday and will spend time tomorrow to view, crop and upload photos here.

Now, I will drive the entire two mile route, but to help with the photo capture, I will drive southbound first all the way to the end, taking photos along the route, then turn around and drive northbound to get an entirely different perspective with my camera.

At this point, I reach the South Entrance at Tower Street, turn around and begin the northbound dirve.

I return to this location just in time for the sunset, get out and begin taking photos of the sun as it descend below the horizon.