The Presidential Trail is a very pleasant half-mile loop that brings visitors to the closest viewing points of the Mount Rushmore [1] monument. The trail is wheelchair accessible from the Washington side of the Grand View Terrace [2] to the base of the mountain. It is not accessible from that point on, as there are a total of 421 wooden stairs that climb partially up the mountain and then continue on down the mountain to the Sculptor’s Studio [3].
It is not uncommon to see mountain goats along this trail—particularly near the beginning of the trail at the Grand View Terrace and at higher locations of the staircase mountainside. These beautiful white animals with contrasting black noses and hooves are not native to the region.
In 1924, Canada gave six Rocky Mountain goats to Custer State Park [4]. The goats escaped from their pens and have adapted well to the environment of the hills. There are now estimated to be more than 200 goats in the hills, mainly around Harney Peak [5], Sylvan Lake [6], Crazy Horse Mountain [7], and Mount Rushmore [1].
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/mount-rushmore-national-monument
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/mount-rushmore-national-monument/si/the-grand-view
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/mount-rushmore-and-the-central-hills/mount-rushmore-national-monument/si/sculptor-s-stu
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/outdoor-recreation/hiking/harney-peak
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer-state-park/outdoor-recreation/hiking/sylvan-lake-shore-trail
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/mt-rushmore-the-black-hills/the-southern-hills/custer/sights/crazy-horse-memorial