Trail 9 up and trail 4 including Little Devil on the way down.
Saw lots of eyes in the dark on the way down from Black Elk- curious deer watching me. Had to wait for mama mountain goat and her kid getting done on top of Little Devil before I could climb the last metres. Beautiful sunrise from Little Devil!
With Sylvan Peak, Little Devils tower, Bear Mountain, Odakota Mountain, Green Mountain, Crows Nest Peak, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak.
Rvojacek - Jun 12, 2018 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2016
Great Views, great hike
The entire hike from Sylvan lake to the peak was great. Easy to follow trail, beautiful views!
marciamallow - May 26, 2018 1:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2015
HP #29
Loved the Black Hills area...good quality hike and unique tower at the top...although there were a ton of annoying knats!
wyomtman - May 24, 2018 3:14 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2018
First family summit
Started at the cathedral spires trail head, 5 month old, 2 year old, and my wife. Beautiful day in a beautiful place!!!
urraca man - May 22, 2018 6:57 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2018
Beautiful Day!
Another great high point. Went to Mount Rushmore earlier in the day.
triviasteve - Apr 26, 2018 7:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2015
goats!
got to the summit and encountered quite a few mountain goats. a beautiful hike in the black hills (you have to drive needles highway!)
NonaRider - Mar 29, 2018 10:56 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2006
Peak #15 [NonaRider]
[Date Approximate]
I had way too much fun climbing in the rocky areas I wasn't supposed to be climbing. Definitely a great exploratory trail! CAUTION enter at your own risk :D
CPrice1024 - Mar 5, 2018 2:53 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2017
So many summits, and every time it blows me away and renews my appreciation for my home state.
Curtissimo - Aug 7, 2017 9:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2017
With my boys
Nice hike up windy on top water in stone pool very cool.
huskertriguy - Jul 24, 2017 12:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2017
2nd Time
Loved hiking with the nieces and nephews. Took the scenic route back via Little Devils Tower.
utahguy058 - Jun 18, 2017 1:37 am Date Climbed: Jun 4, 2017
Billy Goat Goes Bonkers on Black Elk
Decided to make a loop of this stunning landscape, to get a nice variety. We went up trail 4, and came down the 9. I was impressed by the granite outcroppings of the Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Dower. We saw a stunning Mountain Goat at the spires, and then again inside the watchtower on Black Elk. He was licking the building for minerals. We saw no one on the number 4 trail and found it more scenic than the more crowded 9 trail we went down, though both were beautiful. The views at top were amazing, and was truly the highlight of the Black Hills. Thanks Billy Goats of Black Elk for a Beautiful Black Hills hike.
Wallylongridge - Sep 11, 2016 11:18 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2016
#9
Camped in Custer State park for a couple of days, saw lots of Bison, Big Horn Sheep and a few Mountain goats. i even got a foot or two up John Gills boulder problem the Thimble. The Lookout Tower on top of Black Elk was pretty cool too!
larvitar - Sep 4, 2016 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2016
Larvitour Stop #33
First on the register after the name change! I definitely approve--Black Elk's vision on the mountain makes for a much more interesting name-story than anything General Harney did. After driving in the previous day and seeing how crowded the Black Hills were, I wasn't expecting solitude, but I only met one other party on my way up and down Trail #9 from Willow Creek Horse Camp. The final spur-trail up to Harney was pretty crowded, though, so I guess most people come up from the other direction. All those granite outcroppings along the way are amazing... I suppose some of you crazy folks try to climb them?
Jow - Aug 6, 2016 1:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2016
Larry Legend
Straight from airport to trailhead. Lacking much energy but a scenic and fun hike. Very crowded even on a Thursday. Unique area for sure quite enjoyed. HP #33
We were on an epic roadtrip from Pittsburgh to Denver and back stopping at 14 different states, several National Parks, and 5 state High Points. This one was definitely the highlight of our trip as we were the last climbers of the day and a massive storm set in. We only caught the northern tip of the storm, but the winds and sky were incredible to see from the top of the tower!
lidijagrazulis - Jun 1, 2016 11:41 am Date Climbed: May 19, 2016
Amazing views!
Great hike up from Sylvan Lake! First time in the Black Hills and I'm already looking forward to coming back. :-)
sgb02d - May 22, 2016 8:45 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 2016
Exceeded Expectations
This was a very nice hike on a nice day. The stairs at the end were a burner. Lots of people on the trail.
GAflatlander - Mar 3, 2016 8:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2015
SD Highpoint
Hiked from the north side. Bring plenty of water: only one creek crossing on the route. One of the most beautiful sunsets you'll ever see...
SarahThompson - Sep 8, 2015 11:32 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2015
Loop with Little Devils Tower
9/5/15 - Nice little hike for an introduction to the Needles. Did an easy loop including Little Devils Tower before checking out some technical climbing on nearby Cathedral Spires.
9/21/19 - Did it again with my parents and brother on our South Dakota vacation. Windy!
Bjorn - Jul 12, 2018 10:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2018
Alone on the mountain at nightTrail 9 up and trail 4 including Little Devil on the way down.
Saw lots of eyes in the dark on the way down from Black Elk- curious deer watching me. Had to wait for mama mountain goat and her kid getting done on top of Little Devil before I could climb the last metres. Beautiful sunrise from Little Devil!
With Sylvan Peak, Little Devils tower, Bear Mountain, Odakota Mountain, Green Mountain, Crows Nest Peak, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak.
Rvojacek - Jun 12, 2018 12:52 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2016
Great Views, great hikeThe entire hike from Sylvan lake to the peak was great. Easy to follow trail, beautiful views!
marciamallow - May 26, 2018 1:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2015
HP #29Loved the Black Hills area...good quality hike and unique tower at the top...although there were a ton of annoying knats!
wyomtman - May 24, 2018 3:14 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2018
First family summitStarted at the cathedral spires trail head, 5 month old, 2 year old, and my wife. Beautiful day in a beautiful place!!!
urraca man - May 22, 2018 6:57 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2018
Beautiful Day!Another great high point. Went to Mount Rushmore earlier in the day.
triviasteve - Apr 26, 2018 7:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2015
goats!got to the summit and encountered quite a few mountain goats. a beautiful hike in the black hills (you have to drive needles highway!)
NonaRider - Mar 29, 2018 10:56 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2006
Peak #15 [NonaRider][Date Approximate]
I had way too much fun climbing in the rocky areas I wasn't supposed to be climbing. Definitely a great exploratory trail! CAUTION enter at your own risk :D
CPrice1024 - Mar 5, 2018 2:53 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2017
SD Highpoint4th highpoint
ToTheHeights - Feb 13, 2018 7:54 pm
South DakotaSo many summits, and every time it blows me away and renews my appreciation for my home state.
Curtissimo - Aug 7, 2017 9:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2017
With my boysNice hike up windy on top water in stone pool very cool.
huskertriguy - Jul 24, 2017 12:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2017
2nd TimeLoved hiking with the nieces and nephews. Took the scenic route back via Little Devils Tower.
utahguy058 - Jun 18, 2017 1:37 am Date Climbed: Jun 4, 2017
Billy Goat Goes Bonkers on Black ElkDecided to make a loop of this stunning landscape, to get a nice variety. We went up trail 4, and came down the 9. I was impressed by the granite outcroppings of the Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Dower. We saw a stunning Mountain Goat at the spires, and then again inside the watchtower on Black Elk. He was licking the building for minerals. We saw no one on the number 4 trail and found it more scenic than the more crowded 9 trail we went down, though both were beautiful. The views at top were amazing, and was truly the highlight of the Black Hills. Thanks Billy Goats of Black Elk for a Beautiful Black Hills hike.
Wallylongridge - Sep 11, 2016 11:18 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2016
#9Camped in Custer State park for a couple of days, saw lots of Bison, Big Horn Sheep and a few Mountain goats. i even got a foot or two up John Gills boulder problem the Thimble. The Lookout Tower on top of Black Elk was pretty cool too!
larvitar - Sep 4, 2016 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2016
Larvitour Stop #33First on the register after the name change! I definitely approve--Black Elk's vision on the mountain makes for a much more interesting name-story than anything General Harney did. After driving in the previous day and seeing how crowded the Black Hills were, I wasn't expecting solitude, but I only met one other party on my way up and down Trail #9 from Willow Creek Horse Camp. The final spur-trail up to Harney was pretty crowded, though, so I guess most people come up from the other direction. All those granite outcroppings along the way are amazing... I suppose some of you crazy folks try to climb them?
Jow - Aug 6, 2016 1:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2016
Larry LegendStraight from airport to trailhead. Lacking much energy but a scenic and fun hike. Very crowded even on a Thursday. Unique area for sure quite enjoyed. HP #33
THC73 - Jul 10, 2016 11:03 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2016
My favorite HP so far!We were on an epic roadtrip from Pittsburgh to Denver and back stopping at 14 different states, several National Parks, and 5 state High Points. This one was definitely the highlight of our trip as we were the last climbers of the day and a massive storm set in. We only caught the northern tip of the storm, but the winds and sky were incredible to see from the top of the tower!
lidijagrazulis - Jun 1, 2016 11:41 am Date Climbed: May 19, 2016
Amazing views!Great hike up from Sylvan Lake! First time in the Black Hills and I'm already looking forward to coming back. :-)
sgb02d - May 22, 2016 8:45 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 2016
Exceeded ExpectationsThis was a very nice hike on a nice day. The stairs at the end were a burner. Lots of people on the trail.
GAflatlander - Mar 3, 2016 8:56 am Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2015
SD HighpointHiked from the north side. Bring plenty of water: only one creek crossing on the route. One of the most beautiful sunsets you'll ever see...
SarahThompson - Sep 8, 2015 11:32 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2015
Loop with Little Devils Tower9/5/15 - Nice little hike for an introduction to the Needles. Did an easy loop including Little Devils Tower before checking out some technical climbing on nearby Cathedral Spires.
9/21/19 - Did it again with my parents and brother on our South Dakota vacation. Windy!