Even though the trailhead is at sylvan lake, which is a popular starting point for the harney trails, this one is often overlooked, giving you a quieter hike. Simply follow the trail around sylvan lake to the trailhead, located behind the dam. Follow the main trail from the parking lot about 300 yards then there will be an unmarked trail off to the left, it is a beaten path more than a trail. Trail 9 begins across the footbridge leading to the swimming beach. This is the standard, touristy route up the mountain, but is still challenging regardless. Black elk wilderness lost cabin and harney peak trails. Black elk peak formerly harney peak is the highest natural point in south dakota, united states.
Sylvan lake day use area north of needles highway hwy 87 two trailheads are located at the sylvan lake day use area. Harney peak and black elk wilderness area are managed by the u. There are many trails that lead to black elk peak, but the most popular trail is a 7. What to expect on the black elk peak trail the mandagies. One of the least populated areas of the contiguous united states, it is located largely in northern harney county, bounded on the north and east by the columbia plateauwithin which it is contained, physiographically speakingand on the south.
The high peak railway line first opened in 1831 and was. Owing to its status as the highest peak in south dakota, the highest peak in the united states east of the rockies, and one with panoramic views of the entire black hills region and the plains and badlands to the east, harney peak is hike extensively, even by many people you usually dont see on a hike that climbs over 1100 feet in elevation or is nearly 7 miles long. Black elk peak south dakota highpoint trail is a 7. The trail will make some long switchbacks in a forest where it appears there was a fire many years ago. Black elk peak formerly harney peak is the highest natural point in south dakota, united. After the solitude on the singletrack of lost cabin trail, i admit that i was just a little bit annoyed at having so many people to pass on this thoroughfare. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station.
Black elk wilderness hiking project hiking trail maps. Built by the civilian conservation corps in the mid1930s, photos of the structure show the native stone that was manually hauled the three. From there youll have a chance to find the poets table trail along your route to black elk peak. Harney peak is the high point of the black hills, an isolated range in western south dakota. Trail r c h m n t r i dia g r a e ga p t crooked arm ridge tr f i n l e y c n t r 4 1. The authoritative guide to black elk peak has been published by the history press.
All boundaries and trails are shown as approximate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until october. Sd gfp state parks directory custer state park trails. Advertisements and articles are reprinted as they originally appeared in the harney peak mining news, of hill city, south dakota, in the year 1904, published by c. My hike up harney peak, the highest point in south dakota on june 23, 20.
Best atvutv trails in the black hills of south dakota the polaris ride command app was an invaluable tool to help us explore this area of the country. Its elevation at 7,244 feet is the highest point east of the rockies. Find a state park south dakota game, fish, and parks. The harney peaktrail begins at the sylvan lake day use area. Is it your first time exploring our trails and are you looking for local tips and knowledge. On the map below, from the south dakota state park website, you can find the trailhead in the top left corner, surrounded by the green border. These are easy to miss, especially on the return trip.
It is the most traveled trail in the area, so it should be easy to spot. Best atvutv trails in the black hills of south dakota. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Highest mountain in sd, and highest east of the rockies key information is provided for hiking the sylvan lake trail in the black hills of south dakota up to 7,242 foot harney peak, the highest point in south dakota. Many of the trees were shorter, splintered, dead or fallen to the ground. Abundant wildlife a wonderful bonus along the harney peak trail is the abundant wildlife that surrounds it. Peak 10272ft 32m harney peak 7242ft 2208m longs peak 14255ft 4346 m ount elbert 14433ft 4399 borah peak 12662ft 3860m m ount shasta 14162ft 4318m lassen pk 10457ft 3188m m ount ritter 140ft 4010m s i e r r a n e v a d a c a s c a d e r r a n g e r o c k y t m o u n t i n s g r e a t p a i n s. It lies in the black elk wilderness area, in southern pennington county, in the black hills national forest. But the variety of trail conditions only added to the hikethe areas where the trail was still snow packed even provided a welcomed cool feeling just as the sun was beginning to heat up. Please report any accident or incident immediately to park police. Taken from an internet site, the historic fire lookout tower built upon the remote summit remains as an abandoned shell and is open to the public. One of the best things about taking this hike to the top of black elk peak is the moderatetoeasy skill rating of the hike.
The harney peak trail begins at the sylvan lake day use area. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from may until october. The best hike in south dakota is black elk peak loop via harney peak trail and trail 4, a 7. Harney peak from the trail photo courtesy of klenke essential gear. Backpacking in the black elk wilderness travel south dakota. Hiking trail maps are available through the black hills national forest and custer state park. This hike starts at the little devils towers trailhead just east of sylvan lake in custer state park.
Harney peak trail is a hiking, trail running, walking adventure located in or near black hills national forest, sd. This route summits the 7,244foot black elk peak formerly known as harney peak, the highest point in south dakota, from the lesstraveled north side and makes a loop through ponderosa pine forests. This trail connects to the little devils tower trailhead, and continues on to harney peak. Norbeck trail 3 intersects with trail 9, which continues to black elk peak. Black elk peak loop via harney peak trail and trail 4. There are several outstanding trail maps found at the custer state park visitor center or online. A map of marked horse trails may be found at the visitor centers, entrance stations and the custer state park office. We really enjoyed the varying trail and landscape as well as the views at the top. Please note that black elk peak is located in the black elk wilderness area. Harney peak is the highest natural peak in south dakota and offers stunning views of the needles and little devils tower, while the trail to the top starts at the stunning sylvan lake. This trail is one of the most popular in the wilderness and is the main trail from which tourists climb harney peak.
If you would like a moderately strenuous hike, while visiting custer state park in south dakota, be sure to hike the harney peak trail from sylvan lake. The most popular harney peak trail is the southern approach through the black elk wilderness to the summit. Trail 4 begins at the southeast corner of the day use area. Using the app, you can find trails, track your ride, set and share way points and follow friends. Harney peak topo map in pennington county, south dakota. Harney peak trail number 9 from sylvan lake is the most common route to the summit. The trail crosses several serene streams which are known to attract buffalo. Black elk peak south dakota 2020 all you need to know. Black elk peak via harney peak trail south dakota alltrails. It takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to hike to the summit. The harney basin is an endorheic basin in southeastern oregon in the united states at the northwestern corner of the great basin. The most popular black elk peak formerly harney peak hiking trail is the. Harney peak trail black elk peak black hills south.
As the trail gets steeper you will reach the summit area, where some stairs lead to the summit tower. Harney peak is the highest mountain east of the rocky mountains in north america. Wilderness area, travel is restricted to nonmechanized, nonmotorized transportation and groups are limited to 25. Stock is prohibited on the harney range trails within the park. This trail has one steep climb down, requires some scrambling, and has more than one rock river crossing. There is parking available at sylvan lake, as well as a store and restaurant. Our hike to black elk peak aka harney peak in the black hills of south dakota, july 2017 and yes my video skills suck, but i am still learning contact inf. It is marked blazed with blue diamonds and leads away from the water. Black elk peak formerly harney peak trail through the black elk wilderness. From there, the hike is very straight forward the beginning of the trail is very moderate, being slightly flat with a few ups and downs along the way. It was formerly known as harney peak 18552016 and is known as hinhan kaga in lakota.
Because these animals basically grew up with humans hiking on the. The trail to black elk peak from sylvan lake is heavily traveled, but lesserknown trails offer a great way to get to the summit without the crowds. As part of the rei coop family, were dedicated to making websites and mobile apps that help outdoor enthusiasts connect, share information and get out into the places they love to play. The hiking from the northern approach is used less frequently, and is a more challenging hike. Use the harney peak map to drive to the trailhead at sylvan lake in custer state park where the hiking trail begins. This trek through a ponderosa pine forest offers exceptional views of stockade lake and harney peak. This loop hike utilizes multiple named trails to go from sylvan lake to black elk peak, and back to sylvan lake. Black elk peak south dakota highpoint trail alltrails. Because of how many trails are in the wilderness area, its easy to make 2 or 3day backpacking routes. Harney peak trails harney peak trails sylvan lake trailheads to harney peak location of trailhead. Select what you are searching for during your stay at a south dakota state park or select your favorite park from the list below. From the trailhead at sylvan lake in custer state park, to the summit and back is about 7 miles 11 km. Bear mountain state park trail map new york state parks. Harney peak trail renamed black elk peak from sylvan lake is the most.
Follow the trail up the stairs and metal walkways until you come to the fire tower. Harney peak loop, black hills national forest, south dakota. Best trails in black elk wilderness south dakota alltrails. Scroll down to the map below or use the state park filtering tool to narrow the list to your needs.
Black elk peak loop hiking trail, custer, south dakota. Little devils tower has fantastic views of cathedral spires, black elk peak, and the sprawling black hills forests. On the hike to harney peak which can be reached by a halfdozen different trails routes detour to show off wonders like the cathedral. Take the trail less traveled to the top of black elk peak. The complete ride from the koa guest stalls and back is 11. Historic photos are reprinted from various sources, as listed in the references below, and as acknowledged above. The left trail leads to harney peak and the right trails to some place i didnt want to go. A beautiful hike to an abandoned fire tower atop the highest summit in south dakota.
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