Black Elk Peak Loop

Park at Horsethief Lake and take Horsethief Lake #14 to Grizzly #7. Grizzly #7 ascends with several switchbacks as you climb up toward Norbeck #3. Just off Norbeck #3, there is a short hike to Black Elk Peak to take in the views where on a clear day you can see WY, MT, and NE. Leaving the peak hit Harney Peak #9 (North), another steep, rocky trail that descends sharply toward Willow Creek Rushmore Trail #5. This is a short but amazing trail that runs adjacent to the highway, with a gentle easy grade. Seems like an old logging road perhaps. This dumps you back to Horsethief Lake #14 back to the trailhead. We added a bit to our trip to get 15 miles.

The granite peak is scared ground for Native Americans. In 2016 its name was changed from Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak, and the fire lookout building made of stone with spectacular views still sits. This is the highest point in South Dakota at at 7242 feet.