Highpoint #16 - Harney Peak, SD

Harney Peak Tower, SD

Custer State Park near Custer, SD, holds magnificent wonders. On a beautiful Thursday, July 21, 2011, we hiked the 3.25 mile Trail #9 to Harney Peak. Took us about 3.5 hours to hike up (yes, we're slow, but the journey is more important than the destination!) We had more than enough water (about 3 liters), but noticed many people hiking with one bottle of water. I never can figure that one out.

The stone tower was built by the CCC in 1939, and provides a fascinating overlook of the Black Hills. Harney Peak is 7,242 ft. with the ascent being about 1,100 ft. Many people were on the trail, young and old. We descended in about 3 hours - there's a nasty little uphill stretch on your way down. Starting out we almost made the mistake of taking Trail #4 which intersects with #9. That's fine if your up for a difficult hike.

 



Harney Peak from the trail.

While you're in the area, visit Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Wind Cave, and Mammoth site. South Dakota has a great website for all of the state parks. The night before our hike, we camped at Center Lake. The Sylvan Lake Recreation Area is beautiful, so save time to take a dip in the lake. We ate a late lunch in the restaurant at the Sylvan Lake Lodge (after a shower, of course.) 

This hike and the drive up Needles Highway to the trailhead has spectacular scenery!