Ten Mile Road
Stretch between Hill City, Keystone offers change of pace
“I’m a man, I’ma make a new plan
Time for me to just stand up, and travel new land
Time for me to just take matters into my own hands
Once I’m over these tracks man I’ma never look back
(8 mile road) And I’m gone,
I know right where I’m going ...”
— “8 Mile” by Eminem
There is a little stretch of road in the Black Hills that I doubt that rapper Eminem has ever set foot on it. It’s also a couple of miles longer than the road made famous in his song and movie by the same name.
And on this 10-mile stretch of road, after you’re over the tracks, you’re just beginning, because you keep going over the tracks — 13 more times.
But you do know right where you are going.
Hill City.
Keystone, if you are heading east.
The road is Pennington County Road C323, better known to locals as Old Hill City Road. Most tourists pass it by, zipping between the two towns on
U.S. Highways 16 and 16A. Locals usually avoid its winding path as well, preferring the higher speeds on the highway.
But these days, with construction work in progress at several points on Highway 16, there is probably no time lost while enjoying the more sedate rate of speed on Old Hill City Road. And the view is a lot better.
The road is lined with incredible granite outcroppings. There are wonderful views of Elkhorn Mountain and lovely green pastures that are home to horses and cattle, as well as deer, marmots and other wild animals. Residents along the road have also created a few memorable sights for the traveler, including a chainsaw-carved bear that dwarfs all other chainsaw-carved bears you may have come across.
And then there is the 1880 Train. Its route crosses Old Hill City Road 14 times as it winds its way between Hill City and Keystone. Throughout most of the summer, it runs back and forth between the towns four times a day, with an evening run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, nearly guaranteeing the auto traveler a chance to cross its chug, chug chugging, whistle-blowing, smoke-spewing path.
So, like our rapper friend suggests, “Make a new plan ... and travel new land.” If your route is taking you from Rapid City to Hill City, Custer or other points south, you might want to avoid the “follow me” cars and one-lane road construction on Highway 16 and take this little detour instead.
Just keep an eye out for the train, because it doesn’t stop for autos at those 14 crossings.