I hiked Harney peak about 15 years ago on a family vacation. Whoo!
Tie-Dye Mike - Apr 8, 2006 10:12 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2005
Thanks again
Hiked on Memorial Day, and I do not recommend this! Obviously hard to find camping and LOTS of people on the trail that day. But it was still beautiful, and this site gave me the information I needed at the time, THANKS.
NanitaD - Apr 7, 2006 12:49 am Date Climbed: May 30, 1988
Regular trail
We'd gone to the area to climb Devils Tower, but I wasn't able to climb it that trip. Instead we hiked to Harney Peak.
Tracy - Apr 5, 2006 5:19 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 1984
Family hike via Sylvan Lake Trail
I took my parents, my older brother Barton, and my four youngest siblings (Amy, Guy, Mariam, and Laura) on this hike when we were on a family vacation to the Black Hills area. I was able to truly "summit" by climbing onto the very top of the roof of the summit hut.
Used this mountain as a training regiment for speed ascents in Colorado. Hiked it twice in early July and ran it towards the end of July. Fastest time was 32 minutes even from bottom to top. A great trail run for anyone who is in shape. Beautiful views. God's beauty is seen there.
Route Climbed: Little Devil's Tower Trailhead Date Climbed: August 2004
Great view. Busy trail. Highly recommend going through Cathedral spires. Hiked Little Devil's Tower immediately following Harney. Steep at first but was rewarded by sighting a large mountain goat 30 yards away.
Route Climbed: Palmer Gulch Trail Date Climbed: 6/25/05
Although I have hikes Harney Peaks several times, this was my first time from Palmer Gulch. After reaching the summit, I took the south trail around and back to Palmer Gulch. About 9 miles round trip. A great time!!!!
Route Climbed: Trail 4 up, and Trail 9 down. Date Climbed: October 1, 2005
The trip up Harney Peak was great. The views along Trail 4 were impressive, as was the view from the tower at the top. Many of the trees were near their peak Fall colors. The round trip took about three hours.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake trail #9 Date Climbed: Sept. 5, 2005
Even though the Sylvan Lake approach is such a yak trail, I wanted to walk through those spires. They did not disappoint. It was alot more wooded over then I thought (from written accounts) and only the very top is above tree line. Views 360 degrees, but a trip to Mt. Coolidge's summit (a drive-up) is well worth it for the view of Crazy Horse, Harney Peak, The Needles, Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, etc.
By the way, I camped out about a mile from Sylvan Lake, after I paid my 5 dollars fee (good for one week). I would definitely return to this interesting place.
WestEndAllStar - May 5, 2006 1:57 am
A long time ago...I hiked Harney peak about 15 years ago on a family vacation. Whoo!
Tie-Dye Mike - Apr 8, 2006 10:12 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2005
Thanks againHiked on Memorial Day, and I do not recommend this! Obviously hard to find camping and LOTS of people on the trail that day. But it was still beautiful, and this site gave me the information I needed at the time, THANKS.
NanitaD - Apr 7, 2006 12:49 am Date Climbed: May 30, 1988
Regular trailWe'd gone to the area to climb Devils Tower, but I wasn't able to climb it that trip. Instead we hiked to Harney Peak.
Tracy - Apr 5, 2006 5:19 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 1984
Family hike via Sylvan Lake TrailI took my parents, my older brother Barton, and my four youngest siblings (Amy, Guy, Mariam, and Laura) on this hike when we were on a family vacation to the Black Hills area. I was able to truly "summit" by climbing onto the very top of the roof of the summit hut.
rkymtn - Mar 22, 2006 8:03 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Trail Date Climbed: Summer 1993This was a family vacation many years ago and my first mountain summit. My parents, sister, and I all made it up on a nice summer afternoon.
jakefrisbee - Mar 15, 2006 3:32 am
Check it offGreat hike and nice summit tower.
Mountain Jim - Mar 11, 2006 4:46 am Date Climbed: May 30, 1988
Standard RouteNice hike. I liked the stone tower on the summit.
benhabsstal - Feb 4, 2006 10:47 am
Route Climbed: Sylvan 4 Date Climbed: JulyUsed this mountain as a training regiment for speed ascents in Colorado. Hiked it twice in early July and ran it towards the end of July. Fastest time was 32 minutes even from bottom to top. A great trail run for anyone who is in shape. Beautiful views. God's beauty is seen there.
D-bo - Jan 7, 2006 5:26 pm
Route Climbed: Little Devil's Tower Trailhead Date Climbed: August 2004Great view. Busy trail. Highly recommend going through Cathedral spires. Hiked Little Devil's Tower immediately following Harney. Steep at first but was rewarded by sighting a large mountain goat 30 yards away.
Tajji - Jan 3, 2006 10:17 pm
Route Climbed: Trail #9 Date Climbed: December 27, 2005My 2nd annual Christmas break Harney hike! I got a late start around 3, so I made a push...up and down in 1hr 55min.
SawtoothSean - Dec 30, 2005 10:43 pm
Route Climbed: Trail Run Date Climbed: September 5, 2003Did this the same day that I climbed the Devil's Tower- Reached the Summit Castle at sunset. Headlamped run back
jm485 - Dec 27, 2005 9:40 am
Route Climbed: Willow Creek Harney Trail #2 Date Climbed: 26 Dec 05A beatuiful day for hiking!!! None one else on the trail, unless you count the mountain goats and deer.
Vagabond Manifesto - Dec 14, 2005 3:48 am
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: July 8, 2001Good hike, beautiful forest. Great views out to the Badlands. But nothing beats cliff jumping at Sylvan Lake!
jm485 - Nov 28, 2005 9:49 pm
Route Climbed: Palmer Gulch Trail Date Climbed: 6/25/05Although I have hikes Harney Peaks several times, this was my first time from Palmer Gulch. After reaching the summit, I took the south trail around and back to Palmer Gulch. About 9 miles round trip. A great time!!!!
outofstep80 - Nov 7, 2005 3:11 pm
Route Climbed: regular route Date Climbed: June 3, 2005Definitely a fun trek. Not to strenuous but you should carry a bit of water.
olddawgprobe - Oct 23, 2005 8:20 pm
Route Climbed: Trail 4 up, and Trail 9 down. Date Climbed: October 1, 2005The trip up Harney Peak was great. The views along Trail 4 were impressive, as was the view from the tower at the top. Many of the trees were near their peak Fall colors. The round trip took about three hours.
Seth Maciejowski - Oct 14, 2005 5:21 pm
Route Climbed: Regular Trail Date Climbed: August 2002A very interesting and unique peak that is well worth a visit. The granite spire around here are simply amazing and the park is well maintained.
El_Capitan - Oct 12, 2005 2:39 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: October 2, 2005Beautiful easy hike especially with the changing of the leaves. 2 easy hours up.
omahiker - Sep 26, 2005 9:27 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: July 2004I talked my 12 year old twins into climbing Harney Peak with me. We had a great time in beautiful surroundings.
woodstrider - Sep 14, 2005 2:37 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake trail #9 Date Climbed: Sept. 5, 2005Even though the Sylvan Lake approach is such a yak trail, I wanted to walk through those spires. They did not disappoint. It was alot more wooded over then I thought (from written accounts) and only the very top is above tree line. Views 360 degrees, but a trip to Mt. Coolidge's summit (a drive-up) is well worth it for the view of Crazy Horse, Harney Peak, The Needles, Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, etc.
By the way, I camped out about a mile from Sylvan Lake, after I paid my 5 dollars fee (good for one week). I would definitely return to this interesting place.