Views of granite spires jutting out of the Ponderosa pine forest, and flakes of mica underfoot, sparkling in the sunlight, abound along this section of the hike.Īt mile 1.4 you enter the Black Elk Wilderness - a kiosk is located at this boundary and all hikers must sign the register and display the Day Use tag on their backpack. Several trails lead to the highpoint, but the easiest and most traveled route to the top is via Custer State Park Trail #9 - this out and back trail is 3.4 miles one way (6.8 roundtrip), and gains 1,550 feet of elevation from Sylvan Lake.īeginning at the lake, the trail makes a relatively gentle ascent for the first mile, then you descend gradually, eventually crossing Lost Cabin Creek - at mile 0.75, the Lost Cabin #2 Trail joins from the left, turn right and continue hiking along Trail #9. Harney Peak, officially renamed Black Elk Peak in 2016, actually lies within the boundaries of the Black Elk Wilderness, but the trailheads to reach the summit are all located at Custer State Park - no permits are required to climb to the summit, but the park does require an entry fee. Black Elk/Harney Peak Custer State Park, South DakotaĬuster State Park, one of the premiere outdoor destinations in South Dakota’s Black Hills, protects gorgeous mountain streams, sparkling Sylvan Lake, and pine forests dotted with massive granite outcrops - including the state highpoint, 7,242 ft Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak).
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