Route Climbed: #4 and #9 Date Climbed: May 1997, 1998, 2005
I've gone up three times: once via Needles and twice via the Sylvan Lake route. Both were fun and very pretty. The first time I was above the clouds. Gorgeous. The last time I got to see a thunderstorm roll in just to the north of us. No trip to The Black Hills should be without this hike.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake, Trail #9 Date Climbed: July 28, 2004
Dreary day in SD; had some light rain early in climb, but cleared a bit at summit. USGS markers (3) found 50-100 yards East (I think) of summit tower, on clearly identifiable alternate peak. A mountain goat was standing watch nearby on my summit day.
Route Climbed: Standard trail Date Climbed: December 2001 and July 1998
This is a very scenic hike... especially in winter, at 3am, because there are no tourists. I was in Rapid City in mid-December for work, working crazy hours each day, and the only time I could sneak away to climb this was at 3 am, returning in time to go back to work.
More people on this than any mountain in CO I have ever done. We were using treking poles, and we got lots of comments from people about our "ski poles". Summit view was nice. Overall I was annoyed most of the time by the people on this hike.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: September 1997
Hiked as part of the Wartburg XC team during the 97 training camp trip to the Black Hills. Amazing views when the clouds would open up for a few seconds.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Loop: Trail #4 up, #9 down Date Climbed: Sept 18, 2002
Headed over to SD to visit the Needles, but after a night thunderstorm, Josh and I headed up this state high point instead. Started raining at the summit and in earnest when we got back to the car. On the way down, we saw about 12 or so kids in sweatshirts on their way up. Wonder how they're doing now. There are flash flood and high wind warnings in effect for the region now; 44°F in town. I haven't seen this much rain in ages - you definately get spoiled in the Sierras. My 7th state highpoint.
Route Climbed: Harney Peak-Willow Creek Trail (Northern Route) Date Climbed: 08/17/2001
Hiked from the Willow Creek Horse Camp to the summit of Harney Peak on a beautiful summer day. Took about 2 hours to reach the summit. Had lunch at the top and then headed down. This was my third ascent of Harney, and the second time up the northern route. I definitely recommend the northern route for people wanting a little more of a challenge, and a lot more solitude along the way. I basically used Harney Peak to acclimate myself to climb Cloud Peak, WY (13,167 ft) a couple of days later, since I live in Illinois.
Ilafan - Apr 3, 2005 4:44 pm
Route Climbed: #4 and #9 Date Climbed: May 1997, 1998, 2005I've gone up three times: once via Needles and twice via the Sylvan Lake route. Both were fun and very pretty. The first time I was above the clouds. Gorgeous. The last time I got to see a thunderstorm roll in just to the north of us. No trip to The Black Hills should be without this hike.
ChaddBragg - Mar 7, 2005 10:13 am
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Trail Date Climbed: March 6, 2005Fun easy hike, passed as many dogs as people on the way up.
RModelli - Feb 21, 2005 9:28 am
Route Climbed: trail 9 Date Climbed: march 2004Very good hike and climb ot this "giant" of the midwest.
The Black hills are a beautiful sight.
I took some cool pictures !
Steve Gruhn - Jan 30, 2005 5:21 pm
Route Climbed: From Willow Creek Date Climbed: June 25, 2001Easy hike, but a lot of horse droppings to avoid.
Tajji - Dec 29, 2004 12:39 pm
Route Climbed: Trail #9 via the Sylvan Lake TH Date Climbed: 12/28/04Excellent weather for a hike to the watchtower...50 degrees and sunshine.
pennibocker - Sep 2, 2004 2:35 pm
Route Climbed: Trail No. 9 from Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: July 5, 2003My second time up after growing up in this part of the world.
paclimber - Aug 2, 2004 1:13 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake, Trail #9 Date Climbed: July 28, 2004Dreary day in SD; had some light rain early in climb, but cleared a bit at summit. USGS markers (3) found 50-100 yards East (I think) of summit tower, on clearly identifiable alternate peak. A mountain goat was standing watch nearby on my summit day.
dspal - Jul 31, 2004 4:13 pm
Route Climbed: Cathedral Spires trail to Sylvan Lake tral Date Climbed: September 2000No scrambling, short but a bit more strenuous than expected because of altitude, bottom mile is spectacular going past “needles”
Drifter - Apr 29, 2004 10:18 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake, Trail #9 Date Climbed: April 17, 2004This was a nice hike after we climbed Devils Tower the day before.
Chris - Mar 23, 2004 10:00 pm
Route Climbed: Standard trail Date Climbed: December 2001 and July 1998This is a very scenic hike... especially in winter, at 3am, because there are no tourists. I was in Rapid City in mid-December for work, working crazy hours each day, and the only time I could sneak away to climb this was at 3 am, returning in time to go back to work.
granddeity - Feb 12, 2004 4:31 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: July 2003More people on this than any mountain in CO I have ever done. We were using treking poles, and we got lots of comments from people about our "ski poles". Summit view was nice. Overall I was annoyed most of the time by the people on this hike.
ajsamuel - Jan 29, 2004 12:04 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: September 1997Hiked as part of the Wartburg XC team during the 97 training camp trip to the Black Hills. Amazing views when the clouds would open up for a few seconds.
phillinley - Jan 29, 2004 1:29 am
Route Climbed: normal Date Climbed: May 9 2003Beautiful day, no problems reaching the summit. Great warm-up climb for the bigger Rockies if you're coming from the midwest.
Bill562 - Oct 4, 2003 9:56 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: december 2002Ran out of day light on this December afternoon. Views of the Needles and the distant Badlands NP were worth this hike.
climber46 - Apr 26, 2003 2:29 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: Aug 7, 1997My Dad and I climbed this peak in 1997. We had a great time on our hike. The weather was gorgeous and the views of all the spires were wonderful.
John - Sep 18, 2002 12:15 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Loop: Trail #4 up, #9 down Date Climbed: Sept 18, 2002Headed over to SD to visit the Needles, but after a night thunderstorm, Josh and I headed up this state high point instead. Started raining at the summit and in earnest when we got back to the car. On the way down, we saw about 12 or so kids in sweatshirts on their way up. Wonder how they're doing now. There are flash flood and high wind warnings in effect for the region now; 44°F in town. I haven't seen this much rain in ages - you definately get spoiled in the Sierras. My 7th state highpoint.
Joe Hanssen - Jul 29, 2002 10:55 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August '00Incredible rocks in the Black Hills. Lots of lightening while in the observatory on top, got down pretty quick.
Wildtrail - Jun 28, 2002 3:29 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Route Date Climbed: August 1999A nice walk with a good view.
pictioneer - Jun 25, 2002 8:37 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Route Date Climbed: October 3, 2000Was a beautiful climb . Not hard and the view from the top is gorgeous.
dkeating2112 - Aug 23, 2001 5:56 pm
Route Climbed: Harney Peak-Willow Creek Trail (Northern Route) Date Climbed: 08/17/2001Hiked from the Willow Creek Horse Camp to the summit of Harney Peak on a beautiful summer day. Took about 2 hours to reach the summit. Had lunch at the top and then headed down. This was my third ascent of Harney, and the second time up the northern route. I definitely recommend the northern route for people wanting a little more of a challenge, and a lot more solitude along the way. I basically used Harney Peak to acclimate myself to climb Cloud Peak, WY (13,167 ft) a couple of days later, since I live in Illinois.