Did 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!
Nice sunrise on the peak. 4 mountain goats joined me.
With Sylvan Peak, Black Elk Peak, Little Devils tower, Bear Mountain, Odakota Mountain, Green Mountain, Crows Nest Peak, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak.
Brian Kalet - Jan 14, 2018 9:14 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2016
11 Peaks
With Odakota Mountain, Bear Mountain, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak, "Sylvan Peak", 6750, Atlantic Hill, 5688, 5460 & Bear Butte.
huskertriguy - Jul 24, 2017 12:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2017
Scenic Route
Scenic route back from Black Elk. Ran into a couple youth groups who inadvertently were taking the long route up to Black Elk. Oh well! Lucky them for getting extra scenery!
Summit was nearly empty. Fun little scramble to the top.
scvanm - Jun 26, 2016 8:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2016
Loved the View.
Nice short hike on a hot afternoon.I think the temp was in the mid 90s but what a fun beautiful hike. Went with Paul, David, Laura and Olivia. Nice view of Mount Harney, Cathedral Spires and the back of Mount Rushmore.
SarahThompson - Sep 8, 2015 11:47 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2015
WIth Harney Peak
Loop with Harney Peak from Sylvan Lake.
mattdalman - Jun 25, 2015 2:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2015
standard route
Climbed this after completing Harney Peak.
mountaingazelle - Jun 1, 2015 9:11 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2015
Little Devils Tower
Hiked the clockwise loop to Harney Peak from Sylvan Lake and then went up Little Devils Tower on the way down. This was a fun peak with no other people on top.
Stu Brandel - Oct 1, 2013 9:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2013
A Quick Fun Hike
Fun little hike with an unexpected scramble at the end, with Mega Views.
Walkoutnow - Oct 10, 2012 3:29 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
Little Devils Tower
Climbed on way back from doing Harney Peak. Bit of scrambling at the top was a good change of pace. Too bad the trees up at the top were all dead from the pine beetles, that part was not easy on the eyes..
Jeremy Hakes - Sep 14, 2012 10:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2012
Best summit in the Hills
Maybe the best short hike (besides Harney) and best summit/views in the Black Hills.
There is a geocache at the top you should check out
espreck - Aug 17, 2012 8:59 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2012
Little Devils Tower
Great Views
skorpeo - Jun 4, 2012 10:41 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2012
Great scramble at Summit
Did this with my boys. Weather has warmed up, so it was finally a shorts day. Great views of Harney Peak and surrounding Hills.
Sarah Simon - May 27, 2012 6:57 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2012
On way back from Harney Peak
Harney Peak is beautiful, but this little mountain was the highlight of the day! The scrambling and route-finding was a nice departure from trail-walking, and the views from the top of Harney Peak and Cathedral Spires were jaw-dropping. Love it! Super-windy up top, though.
hightinerary - Aug 29, 2023 4:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2023
Just a Little DevilishA fun scramble to the summit - just a little devilish.
David Mortensen - Jun 13, 2022 8:56 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2022
Little DevilAdded this as a fun little side trip on the way down from Black Elk Peak.
Woodie Hopper - Sep 13, 2021 4:34 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2021
Sylvan Lake TH en route to Black Elk PeakI couldn’t resist the power of the (‘lil) Tower! Fun, short scramble with nice views.
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!
scramblingbadger - Sep 19, 2018 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 18, 2018
Trip Number 15 for Little Devils TowerI never get tired of climbing this peak. Always enjoyable!
Bjorn - Jul 12, 2018 10:52 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2018
Goats on the peakNice sunrise on the peak. 4 mountain goats joined me.
With Sylvan Peak, Black Elk Peak, Little Devils tower, Bear Mountain, Odakota Mountain, Green Mountain, Crows Nest Peak, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak.
Brian Kalet - Jan 14, 2018 9:14 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2016
11 PeaksWith Odakota Mountain, Bear Mountain, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak, "Sylvan Peak", 6750, Atlantic Hill, 5688, 5460 & Bear Butte.
huskertriguy - Jul 24, 2017 12:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2017
Scenic RouteScenic route back from Black Elk. Ran into a couple youth groups who inadvertently were taking the long route up to Black Elk. Oh well! Lucky them for getting extra scenery!
Summit was nearly empty. Fun little scramble to the top.
scvanm - Jun 26, 2016 8:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2016
Loved the View.Nice short hike on a hot afternoon.I think the temp was in the mid 90s but what a fun beautiful hike. Went with Paul, David, Laura and Olivia. Nice view of Mount Harney, Cathedral Spires and the back of Mount Rushmore.
SarahThompson - Sep 8, 2015 11:47 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2015
WIth Harney PeakLoop with Harney Peak from Sylvan Lake.
mattdalman - Jun 25, 2015 2:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2015
standard routeClimbed this after completing Harney Peak.
mountaingazelle - Jun 1, 2015 9:11 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2015
Little Devils TowerHiked the clockwise loop to Harney Peak from Sylvan Lake and then went up Little Devils Tower on the way down. This was a fun peak with no other people on top.
Stu Brandel - Oct 1, 2013 9:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2013
A Quick Fun HikeFun little hike with an unexpected scramble at the end, with Mega Views.
Walkoutnow - Oct 10, 2012 3:29 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2012
Little Devils TowerClimbed on way back from doing Harney Peak. Bit of scrambling at the top was a good change of pace. Too bad the trees up at the top were all dead from the pine beetles, that part was not easy on the eyes..
Jeremy Hakes - Sep 14, 2012 10:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2012
Best summit in the HillsMaybe the best short hike (besides Harney) and best summit/views in the Black Hills.
irchrisbrown - Sep 4, 2012 8:04 pm Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2012
Great View of HarneyThere is a geocache at the top you should check out
espreck - Aug 17, 2012 8:59 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2012
Little Devils TowerGreat Views
skorpeo - Jun 4, 2012 10:41 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2012
Great scramble at SummitDid this with my boys. Weather has warmed up, so it was finally a shorts day. Great views of Harney Peak and surrounding Hills.
Sarah Simon - May 27, 2012 6:57 pm Date Climbed: May 27, 2012
On way back from Harney PeakHarney Peak is beautiful, but this little mountain was the highlight of the day! The scrambling and route-finding was a nice departure from trail-walking, and the views from the top of Harney Peak and Cathedral Spires were jaw-dropping. Love it! Super-windy up top, though.
mlandau3 - Jan 7, 2011 9:05 pm
Finally Got Around To Doing This OneGreat views of Harney Peak and the Cathedral Spires