Here is a nice 3-step animation that shows how these form. Bear Butte is a laccolith, whereas the Black Hills (which includes Black Elk Peak) are a batholith. The trail, which starts near Sylvan Lake 47 miles southwest of Rapid City, climbs gradually over the 3.8-miles to the summit, making it doable for reasonably fit hikers.īear Butte and the granite core of the Black Hills are both “intrusive formations” (aka “plutons” or “plutonic formations”). It is a truly unique destination, and the views of the surrounding Black Hills are second to none. The tower, which includes its own reservoir, was staffed until 1967. cavalry general he led a massacre of Sioux women and children at the Battle of Blue Water Creek in present-day Nebraska in 1855.Īt 7,242 ft., Black Elk is not in the same league as high points in other western states – California, Washington, and Colorado all boast peaks over 14,000 and Denali in Alaska is over 20,000 ft! On the other hand, no other state high point has what is found on top of Black Elk – a majestic castle-like stone lookout constructed by the Civil Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. Among other things, he was charged with beating a female slave to death with a cane in 1834, then as a U.S. Harney (1800-1889), for whom the peak was originally named, wasn’t such an honorable man. When Mardi and I did the hike (2015) the mountain was still called “Harney Peak”, but the name was changed in 2016 to honor Black Elk (1863-1950), a famous Sioux medicine man who as a boy was present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876). That afternoon, Amy stayed with CK (handicapped), giving Mardi and I a chance to hike to the summit of Black Elk Peak (formery Harney Peak), the highest mountain in South Dakota (7,242 ft.), and home to one of the coolest lookout towers you’ll find anywhere. The hike to the summit and back is a fun half-day hike (2.8-mile round-trip), but it does gain 1,033 feet, plus there is very little shade – So we were glad we got an early start. Amy and I left Rapid City at 5:30 am, made the 45-minute drive to the Bear Butte 6 miles northeast of Sturgis, and started hiking at 6:30 am. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial – but the highlight of the trip was a day I got to do two neat hikes, one with Amy in the morning (Bear Butte) and another with Mardi in the afternoon (Black Elk Peak). We enjoyed doing some of the things that typical tourists do, including visiting Mt. If you like hiking, do not miss this experience.Several years ago my wife (Mardi) and step-daughter (C.K.) drove out to Rapid City to visit our other daughter Amy who was living and working there at the time. Again I can not say enough good things about it. At the peak, there is an old fire tower and platform that provides an amazing view of the surroundings. Our group loved the hike and being on top of the granite outcropping that is the highest point east of the rocks. This is why I felt compelled to initiate an attraction on Tripadvisor for others to know about it.įor me this was the perfect hike, 8 mile round trip loop and 1,600 feet of elevation, with lots to see, the peak and Cathedral Spires. While it looms over Mount Rushmore, the back of which is visible from the peak, it was relatively empty compared to other Black Hills attractions. Black Elk Peak is the highest point in the Black Hills, South Dakota and for that matter, Anywhere east of the Rockies. While you may not have heard of it, it is likely you saw it as you approached the Black Hills. In between Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore National Monument, the two most popular Black Hills attractions, sits my favorite Black Hills attraction, the hike to Black Elk Peak. The only negative about Cathedral Spires Trail is that parking at its trailhead can be difficult you would definitely want to start this hike early. It’s a longer route, but Cathedral Spires is a great trail, and once you’ve hiked to the top, you’re already 1/3 of the way up to Black Elk Peak. If you are also planning to hike Cathedral Spires Trail, you can combine the two trails by hiking up to Black Elk Peak via Cathedral Spires Trail- 7.2 miles, 1532 feet up. The last portion is all stair-climbing which was tiring but not difficult. The trail goes through beautiful lush meadows with views of the Cathedral Spires on the way you can eventually see your goal, Harney Tower, off in the distance. This hike is 6.4 miles out and back with a climb of 1276 feet. There are multiple trails up to Black Elk Peak, but we took the easiest route, the one that starts via Little Devils Tower trail. The trail ends at the highest point east of the Rockies, with 360 degree views of the surrounding area, and an observation tower to climb (Harney Tower). If you enjoy hiking, this is the hike you must do when visiting Custer State Park, although I would rank Cathedral Spires a close second.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |