Latest from Mount Rushmore

I cannot believe its July 4th weekend. We had all our guides out working this morning, and hopefully the drizzle cleared enough to allow our crews scheduled to summit Devils Tower enough time to dash to the top.

I just received an update from the folks at Mount Rushmore about the latest conditions there and plans for the evening.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2009

Independence Day Celebration Update



MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, S.D. –Festivities continue at Mount
Rushmore National Memorial as light rain and patches of fog move in an out
of the park. National Weather Service predictions call for low clouds and
fog to continue into the night with isolated thunderstorms possible. At
this point the fireworks are still scheduled to launch at 9:20 pm. Park
officials will continue to monitor conditions. If conditions are outside
acceptable limits, such as thick fog or winds greater than 15 mph, the
fireworks display could be delayed up to 10:20 pm Friday evening or
cancelled for the year.

Parking within memorial grounds reached capacity late morning. To the
east, cars are parked all the way to Keystone; to the west, cars are parked
all the way to Horsethief Lake. The nearest parking is at least three
miles away with over an 800-foot elevation gain. Visitors continue to
stream into the memorial to take in the full range of Independence Day
programs including military flyovers, children’s programs, and cultural
performers.

For updated information, please call the memorial at (605) 574-2523.




- NPS -
www.nps.gov/moru