tldelaney - Oct 22, 2012 3:05 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2011
Tremendous View
Started off from Sylvan Lake. Wonderful temps, but clouds started rolling in and a mere half an hour into the hike the thunder was getting close. Great hike, but as the storm rolled through realized I was under dressed. Incredible view of the Hills from the top!
Walkoutnow - Oct 10, 2012 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
HP #11
Really cool area, nice easy hike. Some snow from the storm a couple days before made things even better. Black hills area is definitely worth seeing.
espreck - Aug 17, 2012 8:58 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2012
Harney Peak Summit
Great hike, probably my 10th summit on Harney Peak in the beautiful black hills!
IagosGhost - Aug 1, 2012 3:44 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2012
Family Climb
I took the whole family (six kids ranging from 12 years to 7 months old) on this hike via the Sylvan Lake TH. High point number seven for me. The views along the trail and from the top were magnificent, and the kids loved playing and climbing on the rocks at the summit.
irchrisbrown - Jul 29, 2012 2:57 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2012
Where I train
Made my first summit sometime around March of this year. I started with hikes from Sylvan Lake but I now prefer the Willow Creek route.
My 2nd High point. Solo climb from sylvan lake trailhead. The cloud cover made the hike eerie but beautiful. it was pretty windy at the top but the amazing views were well worth it.
skorpeo - Jun 4, 2012 10:33 am Date Climbed: May 30, 2012
From Sylvan Lake
Very windy and cold(45). Great hike with my kids, though.
My third state high point.
Great views!!
xchallenging - May 31, 2012 12:15 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2012
Big wind on top
Four hours round-trip, trail 9. The view was limited in the woods. But on the top, it was nice, the tower almost felt like those from 'HarryPotter' movie scene. Wind was gusting heavily on top.
huskertriguy - May 30, 2012 1:08 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2012
SHP #14
I had intended to hike the Willow Creek route, but of course only discovered after several beers near the trailhead the night before my intended hike (having arrived shortly after dusk) did I think to walk to the trailhead to check for signage. Then and only then did I learn about the trail closures.
Oh well. The next morning I drove around to Sylvan Lake and hit the trail by 9:00. Even with my late start, I didn't see a soul until the summit. Three other people were there and departed shortly after my arrival. For 15 blissful minutes I had the summit all to myself. Beautiful day!
Then I headed down, and it was a steady parade of would-be hikers all the way back to the trailhead. TWO different parties were hiking with small foo-foo dogs; there were other head-tilting displays en route to the summit as well. I was glad to avoid all the clowns for the most part. Looks like if you get a halfway-early start, you can too.
Finished in 3 hours; was sitting at the Sage Creek Grille in Custer noshing on a delicious Dakota Burger by 12:30.
Sarah Simon - May 27, 2012 6:54 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2012
Via Little Devils Tower Trail
Hot dog, this place is beautiful! I had not been to the Black Hills since I was 4 years old. I am so grateful for the chance to return. This mountain and the surroundings are absolutely beautiful. I loved the rock, the forest, the views. Amazing. Sorry it took me since 1978 to get back here! Only downside today = uber-windy. Not a nice day for lunch at the summit.
technicolorNH - May 18, 2012 6:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2010
Nice view for a plains state
It was a nice relaxing climb after doing Elbert a few days before. The rock formations are what the real draw is. The geology there is quite unique and truly beautiful. I can see why they picked Rushmore as a sculptors site.
iquest4it - Jan 8, 2012 9:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2011
Coats in the Trees
It was a fun hike to the summit from Sylvan Lake, but there were 40+ mph winds, which I could see were common, since the trees on the leeward side were filled with coats, hats, and backpacks blown off unwary climbers. This is the highest peak between the Rocky Mountains and the Pyrenees in Europe.
pittbrownie - Jan 7, 2012 11:57 am Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2011
HP #10
From Sylvan Lake. Great hike!
theREALCarpeDM - Dec 20, 2011 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Dec 17, 2011
Sylvan Lake
On the annual drive to Indy, I visited Harney Peak. Tried to go from Willow Creek Horse Camp, but the trail was closed for pine beetle mitigation. So I hopped around to the other side. it was probably the 2nd nicest state highpoint I've done so far (besides Mt Elbert I've really only done Plains states). The charge is now $15 - not $5. It was packed snow pretty much the whole way - easy enough with any hiking boots.
peaker559 - Oct 29, 2011 2:16 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2011
Harney Peak
The views from the summit are amazing! Standing out on the rocks summit, above the trees is such an open feeling!
Socorro - Oct 23, 2011 10:20 am Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2004
Fun trip with friends
Did this a while ago during geology field camp with several other geology friends. Beautiful day!
DiverDave - Oct 3, 2011 12:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2010
Harney Peak
7 miles round trip from trailhead at Sylvan Lake (6170 feet) to summit (7200 feet) and return.
xbaghat - Jan 20, 2013 10:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2009
twenty-five...
Fletch - Dec 28, 2012 4:07 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2012
Couldnt see a thingwhite out...
awhite28 - Dec 25, 2012 1:33 pm
Harneyfrom Sylvan Lake
tldelaney - Oct 22, 2012 3:05 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2011
Tremendous ViewStarted off from Sylvan Lake. Wonderful temps, but clouds started rolling in and a mere half an hour into the hike the thunder was getting close. Great hike, but as the storm rolled through realized I was under dressed. Incredible view of the Hills from the top!
Walkoutnow - Oct 10, 2012 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
HP #11Really cool area, nice easy hike. Some snow from the storm a couple days before made things even better. Black hills area is definitely worth seeing.
espreck - Aug 17, 2012 8:58 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2012
Harney Peak SummitGreat hike, probably my 10th summit on Harney Peak in the beautiful black hills!
IagosGhost - Aug 1, 2012 3:44 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2012
Family ClimbI took the whole family (six kids ranging from 12 years to 7 months old) on this hike via the Sylvan Lake TH. High point number seven for me. The views along the trail and from the top were magnificent, and the kids loved playing and climbing on the rocks at the summit.
irchrisbrown - Jul 29, 2012 2:57 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2012
Where I trainMade my first summit sometime around March of this year. I started with hikes from Sylvan Lake but I now prefer the Willow Creek route.
fastlikeatortoise - Jun 29, 2012 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2012
MysticalMy 2nd High point. Solo climb from sylvan lake trailhead. The cloud cover made the hike eerie but beautiful. it was pretty windy at the top but the amazing views were well worth it.
skorpeo - Jun 4, 2012 10:33 am Date Climbed: May 30, 2012
From Sylvan LakeVery windy and cold(45). Great hike with my kids, though.
My third state high point.
Great views!!
xchallenging - May 31, 2012 12:15 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2012
Big wind on topFour hours round-trip, trail 9. The view was limited in the woods. But on the top, it was nice, the tower almost felt like those from 'HarryPotter' movie scene. Wind was gusting heavily on top.
huskertriguy - May 30, 2012 1:08 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2012
SHP #14I had intended to hike the Willow Creek route, but of course only discovered after several beers near the trailhead the night before my intended hike (having arrived shortly after dusk) did I think to walk to the trailhead to check for signage. Then and only then did I learn about the trail closures.
Oh well. The next morning I drove around to Sylvan Lake and hit the trail by 9:00. Even with my late start, I didn't see a soul until the summit. Three other people were there and departed shortly after my arrival. For 15 blissful minutes I had the summit all to myself. Beautiful day!
Then I headed down, and it was a steady parade of would-be hikers all the way back to the trailhead. TWO different parties were hiking with small foo-foo dogs; there were other head-tilting displays en route to the summit as well. I was glad to avoid all the clowns for the most part. Looks like if you get a halfway-early start, you can too.
Finished in 3 hours; was sitting at the Sage Creek Grille in Custer noshing on a delicious Dakota Burger by 12:30.
Sarah Simon - May 27, 2012 6:54 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2012
Via Little Devils Tower TrailHot dog, this place is beautiful! I had not been to the Black Hills since I was 4 years old. I am so grateful for the chance to return. This mountain and the surroundings are absolutely beautiful. I loved the rock, the forest, the views. Amazing. Sorry it took me since 1978 to get back here! Only downside today = uber-windy. Not a nice day for lunch at the summit.
technicolorNH - May 18, 2012 6:25 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2010
Nice view for a plains stateIt was a nice relaxing climb after doing Elbert a few days before. The rock formations are what the real draw is. The geology there is quite unique and truly beautiful. I can see why they picked Rushmore as a sculptors site.
iquest4it - Jan 8, 2012 9:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2011
Coats in the TreesIt was a fun hike to the summit from Sylvan Lake, but there were 40+ mph winds, which I could see were common, since the trees on the leeward side were filled with coats, hats, and backpacks blown off unwary climbers. This is the highest peak between the Rocky Mountains and the Pyrenees in Europe.
pittbrownie - Jan 7, 2012 11:57 am Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2011
HP #10From Sylvan Lake. Great hike!
theREALCarpeDM - Dec 20, 2011 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Dec 17, 2011
Sylvan LakeOn the annual drive to Indy, I visited Harney Peak. Tried to go from Willow Creek Horse Camp, but the trail was closed for pine beetle mitigation. So I hopped around to the other side. it was probably the 2nd nicest state highpoint I've done so far (besides Mt Elbert I've really only done Plains states). The charge is now $15 - not $5. It was packed snow pretty much the whole way - easy enough with any hiking boots.
peaker559 - Oct 29, 2011 2:16 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2011
Harney PeakThe views from the summit are amazing! Standing out on the rocks summit, above the trees is such an open feeling!
Socorro - Oct 23, 2011 10:20 am Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2004
Fun trip with friendsDid this a while ago during geology field camp with several other geology friends. Beautiful day!
DiverDave - Oct 3, 2011 12:00 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2010
Harney Peak7 miles round trip from trailhead at Sylvan Lake (6170 feet) to summit (7200 feet) and return.