"So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life."
--Peter Gibbons (Office Space)
© 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. All Rights Reserved.
Dundeel - Nov 13, 2024 2:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2024
Konvention HikeCrowded day at the top.
skinnywhitecomic - Jul 24, 2024 8:34 am Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2024
Highpoint #43!This was done as part of the Highpointer's Konvention this year. What a beautiful hike! We had great weather and great views, and met a bunch of wonderful folks along the way! Highpoint #43!
Cateanderika.50hp - Jul 8, 2024 5:46 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2024
Highpoint #22Went up 9 came down 4. Would not recommend doing the reverse due to 4 being very steep. Well marked and easy to follow. Started at 8:50am and finished by 12:30 that includes ample time at the top and minimal breaks. Strenuous sections but overall moderate. USGS marker is to the left of the tower on a separate section of mountain. Kinda busy but not overcrowded. Trail was in good condition and easy to follow
Jay Moon - May 20, 2024 8:18 pm Date Climbed: May 20, 2024
Tour de Black Elk WildernessStarted down at Iron and took Norbeck. Summited Black Elk first as I knew the weather was going to get sketchy. Then hit Little Devils Tower, Sylvan lake, a couple spurs and then down to Palmer Creek and Willow horse camp up by Elkhorn back to Black Elk and then back out on Norbeck. Great 50K trail run day to see as much of the area I could. Got snowed on from Elkhorn to Norbeck.
tlockling - May 2, 2024 10:55 am Date Climbed: Aug 3, 1984
Good hikeDid it with friends from Rushmore
thenaturalmedic - Oct 10, 2023 9:29 am Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2023
Top of South Dakota and the Black Hills!To say this is a popular hike is an understatement! I got to the parking lot about an hour or two later than I wanted. The overflow lot was about half full at this point. A big group of veterans was prepared to go up and I got ahead of them slightly, lucky for me. They eventually caught up to me on the trail. Lots of birds, chipmunks, and squirrels but no larger animals were seen due to heavy trail traffic I imagine. It took me just under 2 hours to reach the top. There were a lot of folks up top in the tower and the surrounding area. I spent a decent amount of time at the top but would like to return someday when it's less busy if that is possible at all. Make sure to bring warm layers for the top it was pretty cold and windy on this early October day. Hiked up Trail 9 and down Trail 4 made for a nice loop. For the sake of time did not visit Little Devil's Tower and would like to someday. Overall 7.5 miles round trip including my extended time up top took about 5 hours round trip. Prob could have done the entire hike in under 3 if I pushed it. Full video on my YouTube @thenaturalmedicadventures coming soon!
Brian Jenkins - Sep 6, 2023 10:30 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2023
coolUp trail 9, down 4. Really cool unique place. Just recommend not doing it on a 92 degree day when it's a holiday weekend and there are about 1500 people all around.
LazyJSkwires - Aug 27, 2023 2:47 am Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2023
Perfect day for itCame up from Willow Creek, highly recommend if you want to avoid the crowds. Saw five people total on the same route. It was sunny and 70 degrees at the top, would have stayed longer but had a long way to drive.
Hyadventure - Jul 4, 2023 5:44 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2023
Fun HikeLoved this hike!! stretched it out to about 10 miles.
Jim_The_Kid7 - Oct 19, 2022 4:04 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2022
Black elk loop with little devils TowerGorgeous day
hhuttner27 - Sep 5, 2022 5:34 pm
Harald HuttnerI've hiked 32 of the high points and this was my overall favorite. Moderate to a bit difficult. Perfect length, nice path overall, easy to follow and the scenery was unreal. Awesome!
Humpty Dumpty - Aug 5, 2022 11:29 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2022
Black Elk PeakNumber 11! Not the highest, but one of my best climbs
Bkoziol3 - Jul 30, 2022 10:22 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2020
High Pointhot and dry day
zacharydebruine - Jul 29, 2022 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2022
With 5yo in jogging stroller till last staircaseKid in jogging stroller made an easy hike hard.
Beautiful views, Sylvan Lake approach on trail #9.
https://www.strava.com/activities/7545131753
David Mortensen - Jun 13, 2022 8:54 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2022
Black ElkThis was a very scenic hike. The rock formations (needles) were visible throughout as well as lots of panoramic views of the Black Hills. I hiked this with Melissa.
one6180339 - Mar 13, 2022 3:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2020
solo summitStarted from Willow Creek horse camp at 8:30 and did not see another person until half way thru my descent. Being a Thursday and having the south side trail closed certainly helped. It was awesome having the peak entirely to myself.
Woodie Hopper - Sep 13, 2021 4:39 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2021
Sylvan Lake TH loopMellow trail. Interesting rock formations and pretty country. Went faster than expected: 1:40 RT including a short climb of Little Devils Tower.
tudge - Aug 16, 2021 1:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2021
Perfect August MorningFantastic solo hike on a summer morning. Left a mostly empty trailhead parking lot around 6:30 AM. Up trail #9 and down #4. Gorgeous views from the top where I chatted with the few other early birds. So glad I stopped by while passing through the Black Hills.
JesseSumrak - Jul 17, 2021 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2021
Custer State Park LoopDid the first part with the family. Sylvan Lake was packed, so we had to park a bit away and hike over to start up Trail #4 to Little Devils Tower. I had our 1.5-year old in the carrier for the first 2 miles to the saddle for Little Devils Tower, and I left the family there to run up and bag the peak. Fun little scramble up there. Reports say Class 3, but I'd say 2+. No exposure with any moves, and your hands are more for just balance. Great rock, so no problem on the descent either. Only had to crab walk 2 short sections. Family headed back down Trail #4 to go hangout at Sylvan Lake while I continued on north and west to connect Blak Elk Peak. Wonderful trail with beautiful views of the Cathedral Spires. Harney Tower was great at the peak, but it was a bit crowded, so I went and hungout more on nearby McGillicuddy Peak. Bombed down the Trail #9 after that for a quick 4-hour loop of the 3 peaks. Great day!
runbyu1 - Jan 14, 2021 3:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2020
Black Elk Peak Loop FKTLegs were still pretty heavy from Devil's tower speed less than 2 days ago. Hit the first loop at Lactate Threshold, but did stop on top for a bit, and also 3x on the way down, missing turns or trying to navigate. Second time up to the summit was at MAF, met the girls less than a half mile from the top. Hiked down with or carrying Journey. Might be my favorite actual summit of any mountain anywhere.