Sometimes the words get in the way.
Here's a collection of photographs showcasing the Black Hills BackBone. Maybe this will better convey the unique beauty of this remote road ride.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAxkaJT_Tk4rhYiv07h2OF-mtK6gA6gLxYf-GGTs3IHwlh8HyCrqkLAG4pVUEp8QQ_O09wUaC40wy86fWe824teBZ_yORtoButkcoTVMdxqYqHrc7KK3I4TB5LtZs7htSn8rqPDsF79E/s640/Custer+NF+-+North+Cave+Hills+2.jpg) |
A forested island surrounded by the expansive prairie. Picnic Springs USFS campground near the North Dakota border. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7Hnt7W_qSbIXoV11JTFzieoHQHinRKl4a5qVLIsObqr1so_jR20iZWxM-BE4aZNxpVHBPpXanx1tbLqXoAmeI5fHX19i4apqZrUqMfpyEdfWCyFGqORTYZE5i4yKi8VVqAwKwbadvF0/s640/P7081687.jpg) |
A Dakota Marker stands as a lone sentry on the North Dakota - South Dakota border. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGRDt-WrZ3wSsAJEfHZ3V4LUw46TdCW-YXtoyCX7WrDB2leD0iJjTJhPXmH6HEmObkXOR4FD12lcGvSuon3HmydlxNBrJqtG8FoJ_8SjpRfwHEGcCSOEeZr2TVweeB4EpQzz-I_pQfOY/s640/P7081686.jpg) |
Road sign at the North Dakota border, looking like a tough old tree above timberline. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wp9E0Kkd2HPJDe6KRw3dsr3hIpMNn26t2WQNULO3Rh_URMlo8xKqLur7580PGRWDKEiO-lpbGxWivrJBHJ6XyysmZUrXBjEzEp-w5CWfvGaZTuAKsvjVGSXiiCpI6PLSkmtEmzG880I/s640/P7081689.jpg) |
Ere the sun rises! Breathe deep the freedom of the wide open Northern Prairie. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNQ9D9LFOGzP0ytF9feuIsJ1m-uIZDlgnv9dyQ8hDYGPVT9OnipGgtKFdsIHU61ZPNLbRFMrHppmc_YRY-x7wLbxsUNCywe1Hfl_Vxl2s4NeJH4dstmVGDXAuBExCxLQFMw_rqzngfYI/s1600/IMG_3642.JPG) |
More so than individuals, herds of buffalo inspire wonder, knowing that their ancestors filled the northern plains. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxikzZxMbHhDN4kdlhMSARNh7Mkhs4oP9ovkP0ZnzNTCbYijftSRQ-J50BC8VFqT076PpT4V41eNvpA_jentqgsvLWgxUhcWLmjlv6EUvZCI0DmbeRDQPcMwVfjn2oEwbozQxmQNKemg/s640/P9031018.jpg) |
Harding, South Dakota. A stop on the Medora-Deadwood Stage Coach Line. A few years back. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjcTxLtPALghUari2tpGPQU9LjE0Js4rBrOhGc_7CYCR8tCSNvxGhhDTuzW_koyXhoR7oDTU0mjEUjWcq49qtqYDP9VcS0cRKK4hZbbFOzJ7kt99s8ZBxb8rh55qNIIMgEBtGSIGurdE/s640/P7081695.jpg) |
Harding County gravel stretches toward the horizon, revealing the first promise of the distant Black Hills. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD0ImIFNlUWi9h2nOkIgpEFoT4YhpG_1x1kP3rHVRfq5JXzhQV5930fVoOgynB9bfuP6Cj_-iMHeahb-8J8Gvq-MIQUjs-9u-enPG2kl_RGqYRdt14JmFpoOPVQE4s8IcQWzUsncG4mA/s640/P9031027.jpg) |
Geographic Center of the United States, marked by a sincere tribute to the curious curiosity. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRr7XShMvzqmZn4hQbNW1oz8dxLyxwnu1okWqoFgrex75ajoXSCgsVFMY07Xvrzsq1LiUFncclWNZ88dOTP-maFVvqUTKoQcJww0W2UVaOmWLnBX_C_2TFB3nHDOAN6x8w-W-qlJ_ZsPc/s640/P5120775.jpg) |
Seemingly no end to the Northern Prairie gravel. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz92F9eER_Y7Ykpk09VYpX-aYydhiN1J6Kb4r5YpElZ6PWEF5RK5Vku-7YVD-w06VPwlfodOpFfxh5win6BnyKCb9IYBV36wNtxHrA7m86NBRSkkLCHa_PRj5y4bR6aK_KI_mVtnc11eY/s640/P8220074.jpg) |
The gravel thickens, as the road turns through deciduous trees, up and into the foothills on Crooked Oaks Road. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht69bKYDKe8eQGBk1GbKlw1Ku1jzX5rx7mXWY_Q1kJ50r4_ChoA51zVYdOalAPr867jd0_y2YteFEBMgs73kaCxxtyAPer2Lv8TY0ci29eQr9W8NV_Pz2_UwJ6kkX2k6IptwHKWDJuA20/s640/P7021599.jpg) |
A couple of miles of non-maintained dirt on Sale Barn Road behave in the dry heat of mid-summer. Try this road wet. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45cx8nvoWR-HTfNc3aqmiWESAjW0niWlvO955VW-VixyNTcnqkpRHrJjbLzis4ta_sHctS5lNEQICPGk9hy5Xv1cJA_NtxkCso1_tOJpxaGUpghR-ehNLIlNHclio3q0INcfn8qPpJUA/s640/P8310084.JPG) |
Typical two track Black Hills gravel on USFS secondary roads. Maybe 100 miles of stuff like this. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9yoihOK3KVDTpzodvS-0y4-_0Lpr-DjdwNyVgaKyDlXn0cIcbTrdXhVo0rUBM3n-lxtPT9fcgN1NfMrrUKQWKSlC1YA5y_VmpLpAruDRhiUFrtgL5V59HbmaSX7VpyQy8cpY83fNibA/s640/P7170900.jpg) |
Black Fox Camp Road. Simply the best. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk-LmVJgcdMH1xeW5RhzvJZuYCwcZR9e8PfH02JHY0hR-0JxXwE6RiouedJiZqe9-htfLXdgBDgSX8pZi5rslteR7OI-87eBCIOQS4YmRRBaw_xazgGyPpd1B-RL-hc3uHc5Am-IF3ow/s640/IMG_3355.jpg) |
Signature shot of the Black Hills BackBone, cresting the shoulders of Flag Mountain. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQHZqzt45RjNz0h6CrifMKV1Uj2PdjoxCi76XE3Ys24SO-WmGwqb5O3V__KFP_fHIewEiuk_rqEzTgmXIxuV1bc9vWHP_6_SModXJLKKcA034Wo7y3vivkRXZp1kvdHL-jg5c1aYJG7o/s640/P7170910.jpg) |
Rolling over White Tail Loop for the sights, sounds and smells of Deerfield Lake, as well as a primitive water stop. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7Wz3ab96I350w4e5mshPHpvCamoNqM9TogbYm6tlJa-LbtbawIql0McJviPGY5Vx9mYVhI6TuH891Fu1qiuZD9hjLRxWRujontMJe9h81fkVSwjAVU4yQld9NaqAscM_nDsluXRuhMg/s640/P9150127.jpg) |
Early morning start on Williams Draw Road. I don't see any mountain lions. Well, at least not here. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-QM__PZnZpU-wbr9lpmvWOwYGZDfLQp2QnPCm0N7mhY7N64nkETbJhlSmSi9T2gdbL5WvhtjkzuV3SUlW5HLv7DIZ20CcaDXjns8MWDrWHS1Q2EsG8E23OEZYFa_7e2CI4-f8qHlcDY/s640/P7081713.jpg) |
Harney Peak and Crazy Horse Memorial from Custer Limestone Road. Worth the extra climb for that ridge line view. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQ2JxBLH-TzwuIaVuYAqSzG9X98ORh9f5gMnK-2Di0r8JYFlhRiGDPKLiUeLg_nCDTsbBfRkv6PTmaBomqjlFnoMr933WfG6NZlvVB41KnCO7Fbjebz47ULIkzJSsmkf_UdhFf_TtRzc/s640/P7081717.jpg) |
Gravel through classic Central Hills granite. Now we're cruising. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEdmJnPBbqfdi8PrxdxfqkPoLfdWFcYpuxWGJeM35K8b153HGdWE27minij82fxrqrbCYUZCVLqmVXJqR7zE4-TT_ea4LzItDnReFCsUmJ74N_zfFNdc4kQbZP8cnZgjLYLe8E6wCehs/s640/IMG_3496.jpg) |
More classic Central Black Hills granite. Uphill this time. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-tJ-dEDE-QjAh_KA4N6I3zcVL_VQgpXelc5MGhS30DriH8PsaJ4-PNSrdZ9mhquzCtaDgCzZMyfyWoHGtOBR_YgngygkUOqlSfUKS0O1o3vppZ96R-XQAmp_BVCw91xIpiX7O9DclzU/s640/P7031662.jpg) |
Flying down Flynn Creek Road, the valley opens. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEnchqP-3p46eTukFb5SaexmJi7a50Pswew_KApYDdindDG849psjsreUSiFFwAYwG3TDz920WeK0qMfn9dGnegnzj__jmrI1SRBW9pUxbK4Z99O4sKBTLyzY3xGNdtB1gpObaHOXsNs/s640/IMG_3499.JPG) |
Cold Springs School House, Church and Cemetery. 1887 structures fully restored back in 1965. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvffWxrfhc_NmVhqeAIyQevfwpDFNxXr6ItUTsI03z6m8nx4Qm7CIE17MTtfTz2bKIPMhX8cAkg6TabGSkyeZUdHSrMT9Hs4_WcEBn71E4x5h-l-y-gqJcBJLvF2D6QZKB9JIqbmP4fk/s640/IMG_3504.jpg) |
Prairie Dog suburbs extend into the gravel roads in Wind Cave National Park. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XyJSvCW9qUt6xDej2Yq02iB3XhCMyTt8V7ZMQtUkGme0JPVSkkcxdQ12eYrJP2MWyBmm1mkyDM89WRWkvyg1t9mDNK8xw4jYhRCLpYTyck7lP7hlFpYLkSI47w8e3iDRWaAWeF4O304/s640/IMG_3519.jpg) |
Local fast guys. You know who they are. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6XA7FHtV3zA0IioxMaEGu_lN247x-1dYwFbtEFZr6FkFBxuRRSzBe3-_4cP192ids0ZTWnFnvZ9H3hxu2f4ocfC_V93Jqpow3h3CX5L0S4_qxsw1BehBncVI2LFYOYixhJhbs0aOt2c/s640/IMG_3513.jpg) |
Local boss. In his territory. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZSoaAvLTSdDwD_LXK7Va_MQyXOrvE2pwJ5V9LyP-CdbIvZ3h6BtcDlDk1yW9yZ5_mWJReWGXw9Fmo517UBVO5bp3VsIWpAjfCp2CcMcfPgsymcByfZRzGl19GnTfUGdT7xkLHeQQSwc/s640/IMG_3506.jpg) |
Rankin Ridge Road in Wind Cave National Park, en route to Buffalo Gap and the Southern Prairie. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcEIILj7xM5f8sHwQAfisg1ymQaYwYk18EEmC_PO83-WYyzfTZH2UI7YNv_4WGhRGb5eZ_HTZT97sA3xulbi0KzPV5fiibKd7K33-0OSySGPbPk4kk7w-o8BaFTH_c98q847FI01vvMU/s640/trade.jpg) |
At the Buffalo Gap Trading Post, Shaun exalts, "These are my people!" |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg430ADrXleDtvsRpgcbNiA7q3BCOSGouOqFQsJyM4nwVlLdtxd6X7kEAg68-HiulGEB7WopXZPhv2Ow8MORX58D0h0dF11BVV_QCmsCiia6hDscqry8OSBQ64znufRN35J7DDxcVshyphenhyphenvg/s640/IMG_0659.JPG) |
Nasty steep out of Oral, en route to steep rollers on Ash Road. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UXJioOoNkXi4l8OGvCMmWFtSkb2OfRQXONXQZfkybN2o_voJTScd_xRCia6JpmuqIQKoOve47WKWqJiiGAIkkS-w2kDfPzC0MUH7qeLuVWHoxYeWwW4f2k1XC1rTz-OoPruzamvMxXM/s1600/IMG_3558.JPG) |
The billowing ribbon of snow-lined gravel fades to dirt as the BackBone reaches for the Nebraska border.
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNe3foF_WQAPQ5F82x9ZUlJP-pymKUkrBFsHkxKB7rAbMPNSNkVTQ7m0igzG7IZJBHLgsWxgrrubP2qw_Dtf4Rx3p0QKwWWp7Z4OiwJZvvlTRjZMbqG_etw8yZJS2ImLAl3mq3F41uQI/s640/P7081727.jpg) |
A solar powered light for the American flag, off Black Banks Road, 4 miles from the border. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlR081fjKvy8ds1KmHompFAXn2qAfFzh9x-d5DCEKSFoqYV8D9XPH-_fUNWNKv2Bs7tu8c2zASaN75ecaIdSCBG3FYmGAaAnGcxwkm4tbgRRu1MjenjSD6gA_AFgPjyJuXg9s8r_GHS9E/s640/2017+BackBone+sunset.JPG) |
Sunset at the Nebraska border. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-f8dy8QDBovhFCEc5f4pvA5jY-AIi1Cjg1LRccrS0wDgOKgaqpWk7Cm7Y9JqIl93V42w2RGfSgZhObnoR4v3V63M_RQnntCmor3DqHYftBjW0frA6POrTJVtq9sfeKHHYH0MQ8F57LQ/s640/P7031683.jpg) |
Finish line. |
Outstanding - photos and narrative! Thanks Craig
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