Black Elk Peak

The trail isn't hard and if you are a strong hiker you could easily hike to the summit and back in 2-3 hours. The trail doesn't gain too much elevation at the beginning as you wind around a forested area and view granite spires. Once you are nearing the summit you will travel on a long switchback until you come to the fire lookout. The lookout, dam, and pumphouse were created by the CCC in 1939 and are still in great condition. You are allowed to enter the lookout, but please be respectful of these historical relics. This is the tallest peak east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Pryenees Mountains in Europe. If you need to use the restroom, the trailhead is the time. Or if you need to buy some snacks or drinks head on over to the nearby general store at the lodge. If you look at the trail map, you may get a little confused - I sure did. There are trails that crisscross all over the backcountry and if you take a wrong turn you could go in the opposite direction for many miles. Keep in mind that at every fork in the trail you will need to consult your map and check to see if there are signs that point you to Harney Peak. Harney Peak Trail is Trail #9 so follow these trail signs. The beginning of the trail won't gain too much in elevation. In fact, you won't gain too much in elevation until you are nearing the summit. There are granite spires and cliffs visible at about 0.70 mile into your hike. You will also pass tall ponderosa pines for almost the entire length too. Pretty soon you will come to a kiosk which requires you to register what your intentions will be on this hike. The park service just wants to keep track of which trails the hikers/campers use for data purposes and also safety purposes. The trail gradually cuts north east and stays below the tall granite towers. The trail will make some long switchbacks in a forest where it appears there was a fire many years ago. Many of the trees were shorter, splintered, dead or fallen to the ground. The trees will begin to thin out a little bit and you will have some great opportunities to see Rapid City far away. If you look to your east you will also be able to see Mt. Rushmore and some of the buildings there. You will know you are at the Harney Peak Lookout because you will approach a fortress type entrance. This tower and "fortress" were made by the CCC in 1939 and it's almost as if they were building it to make it safe from an invading force. It was of course built as a fire lookout but when you are exploring it, you feel like you are a soldier defending it from an invading army. The main tower is where the crew would stay. There are several rooms, an upstairs lookout and even a downstairs. It is really incredible how they built all of this! You will also find several plaques here. One of them reads: "Harney Peak Lookout. The Harney Peak fire lookout, dam and pump house were built by the CCC in 1939 and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Harney Peak elevation is 2207 meters (7242 ft). The peak is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe." Inside the tower's upper entrance is completely barren except for a steep ladder going up and going down. There is a door to your left which goes out to a small open area. The steep stairs leading up provide the best views. You can see Mt. Rushmore from here too. There is another entrance down here which leads down a short really cool rock path to the pumphouse and dam. The dam is still completely functional but the pumphouse was not. This whole peak was so cool! You can go off and explore wherever you would like, just be careful of the steep cliffs. When you are coming down the trail, make sure you hike down the same one you came up.