Reble0370 - Oct 9, 2023 5:59 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2023
Sylvan Peak Fall 2023
This was our second attempt at this hike. Our first was a month earlier. After getting to the first grouping of rocks, we lost the trail. A storm looked like it was rolling in, so decided to try another time. We were successful this time, but we pretty much blazed our own trail, as there was so much deadfall and new growth that the trail was pretty much obscured. We did eventually reach the peak, but we had three separate devices that measured our elevation between 6,988 and 6,991, so we’re a little disappointed that we didn’t reach 7,000. But the views were impressive and worth the effort. The trail was a little more visible in the way down. Someone mentioned hiking with their dog in an earlier post…unless your dog is a mountain lion, no way. My Lab/Pit mix is an excellent hiker, but she would not have been able to scramble over some of the trees without assistance.
wyomtman - Jun 5, 2020 3:40 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2020
Quick Summit
Great view, the corridor made it unique. Nice solitude!
Brian Kalet - Jan 14, 2018 9:15 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2016
11 Peaks
With Odakota Mountain, Bear Mountain, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak, Little Devils Tower, 6750, Atlantic Hill, 5688, 5460 & Bear Butte.
If deadfall was worth it's weight in gold, this summit could pay off the national debt, I think. As always, great views from the peak and not too crowded - except for marmots.
scramblingbadger - Jun 21, 2014 1:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2014
A tangle of fallen trees
I think this mountain gets more challenging with time. Winter Storm Atlas must have added more fallen trees to the already-tangled slopes. Still, great views and no crowds - in fact no one else on the mountain at all.
Jerry L - Jun 18, 2014 1:52 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2014
Did it
Mostly bush whacking do pay attention to the route you take up. Hiked up with my dogs and quite enjoyable with nice views.
Jeremy Hakes - Sep 14, 2012 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2012
Good views...
Good views, cool rocks, annoying deadfall, bazillions of wasps.
Sarah Simon - May 30, 2012 10:55 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2012
Utility Rd off SD87
The views from up here are simply amazing. We did "Sylvan Peak" as a late-afternoon outing and the evening sunlight hitting the Harney Peak massif was just astounding. This was a great, shorter outing, but - indeed, pay attention to your surroundings as the terrain can twist you around if you're not careful!
jdzaharia - Aug 12, 2010 4:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2010
Great Views
Hiked the utility road route. Summited two tall rock outcroppings, only to find the summit was further northwest. White paint blazes were at-first very faint up the ridge from the water tank, and non-existent closer to the summit. But, the route-finding was easy. One rock outcropping needs to be passed on the right. Probably good to remember that on the descent. The summit provided good views of Harney Peak, Crazy Horse, and the Needles area.
kavak - Jul 15, 2010 12:05 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2010
From Utility Rd off SD87
This was a straightforward climb up a broad ridge. I just kept to the left of all the rocky projections and it seemed to go quickly. The views are great and although I heard vehicles I didn't see anyone in the area until I headed out. This was part of a trip to climb all the 7000 foot peaks in South Dakota.
climber555 - Feb 5, 2010 11:53 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2010
nice hike
Beautiful clear day. Made it to the top in no time. Got to see the helicopter crews logging out all the dead pine trees on Harney Peak.
eric-griz - Jun 5, 2009 10:43 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2009
Great Views
It took my wife and I a little while to find the right route. I was operating off of memory and I accidentally took us down the wrong utility road. I should have realized we were on the wrong road when we started going downhill. Anyway, this peak offers what are arguably the best views in the Black Hills.
weeds19 - Sep 8, 2007 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2004
On the way
... to OH for school I stopped in S Dakota for some peak climbing. One of my last chances to hike in the mountains for a few months.
Reble0370 - Oct 9, 2023 5:59 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2023
Sylvan Peak Fall 2023This was our second attempt at this hike. Our first was a month earlier. After getting to the first grouping of rocks, we lost the trail. A storm looked like it was rolling in, so decided to try another time. We were successful this time, but we pretty much blazed our own trail, as there was so much deadfall and new growth that the trail was pretty much obscured. We did eventually reach the peak, but we had three separate devices that measured our elevation between 6,988 and 6,991, so we’re a little disappointed that we didn’t reach 7,000. But the views were impressive and worth the effort. The trail was a little more visible in the way down. Someone mentioned hiking with their dog in an earlier post…unless your dog is a mountain lion, no way. My Lab/Pit mix is an excellent hiker, but she would not have been able to scramble over some of the trees without assistance.
wyomtman - Jun 5, 2020 3:40 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2020
Quick SummitGreat view, the corridor made it unique. Nice solitude!
Brian Kalet - Jan 14, 2018 9:15 pm Date Climbed: May 7, 2016
11 PeaksWith Odakota Mountain, Bear Mountain, Crooks Tower, Terry Peak, Little Devils Tower, 6750, Atlantic Hill, 5688, 5460 & Bear Butte.
scramblingbadger - Jul 9, 2017 9:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2017
More DeadfallIf deadfall was worth it's weight in gold, this summit could pay off the national debt, I think. As always, great views from the peak and not too crowded - except for marmots.
scramblingbadger - Jun 21, 2014 1:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2014
A tangle of fallen treesI think this mountain gets more challenging with time. Winter Storm Atlas must have added more fallen trees to the already-tangled slopes. Still, great views and no crowds - in fact no one else on the mountain at all.
Jerry L - Jun 18, 2014 1:52 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2014
Did itMostly bush whacking do pay attention to the route you take up. Hiked up with my dogs and quite enjoyable with nice views.
Jeremy Hakes - Sep 14, 2012 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2012
Good views...Good views, cool rocks, annoying deadfall, bazillions of wasps.
Sarah Simon - May 30, 2012 10:55 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2012
Utility Rd off SD87The views from up here are simply amazing. We did "Sylvan Peak" as a late-afternoon outing and the evening sunlight hitting the Harney Peak massif was just astounding. This was a great, shorter outing, but - indeed, pay attention to your surroundings as the terrain can twist you around if you're not careful!
jdzaharia - Aug 12, 2010 4:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2010
Great ViewsHiked the utility road route. Summited two tall rock outcroppings, only to find the summit was further northwest. White paint blazes were at-first very faint up the ridge from the water tank, and non-existent closer to the summit. But, the route-finding was easy. One rock outcropping needs to be passed on the right. Probably good to remember that on the descent. The summit provided good views of Harney Peak, Crazy Horse, and the Needles area.
kavak - Jul 15, 2010 12:05 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2010
From Utility Rd off SD87This was a straightforward climb up a broad ridge. I just kept to the left of all the rocky projections and it seemed to go quickly. The views are great and although I heard vehicles I didn't see anyone in the area until I headed out. This was part of a trip to climb all the 7000 foot peaks in South Dakota.
climber555 - Feb 5, 2010 11:53 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2010
nice hikeBeautiful clear day. Made it to the top in no time. Got to see the helicopter crews logging out all the dead pine trees on Harney Peak.
eric-griz - Jun 5, 2009 10:43 pm Date Climbed: May 21, 2009
Great ViewsIt took my wife and I a little while to find the right route. I was operating off of memory and I accidentally took us down the wrong utility road. I should have realized we were on the wrong road when we started going downhill. Anyway, this peak offers what are arguably the best views in the Black Hills.
weeds19 - Sep 8, 2007 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2004
On the way... to OH for school I stopped in S Dakota for some peak climbing. One of my last chances to hike in the mountains for a few months.
surgent - Oct 19, 2006 8:26 pm
It's about time I sign the logGot lost coming down.