Mush and David were in the Black Hills on vacation. Before they went back to Indiana, they wanted to hike up Harney Peak (7,242 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota. Naturally, Lupe and SPHP were eager to join in on the fun!
It was going to be a hot day, in the 90’s °F out on the western South Dakota prairies. Even Harney Peak would get pretty warm. A relatively early start would help make the trek more pleasant. By 8:00 AM, David was parking the Honda Fit near Sylvan Lake Lodge. The morning was totally clear, calm, and a still pleasant 60°F.
Harney Peak is located in the Black Elk Wilderness, which features a fairly extensive trail system. The most popular, and one of the shortest routes up Harney Peak, is Trail No. 9 from Sylvan Lake. The trail starts at the SE corner of Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park and climbs pretty steadily for most of the 3.5 mile (one way) trek.
Fairly early in the hike, not too long after passing by a junction with Lost Cabin Trail No. 2, there is a flat granite outcropping near Trail No. 9. This granite outcropping offers views off to the N, and a first good look at Harney Peak up ahead.
There were plenty of hikers on the trail on this beautiful, warm early fall day. A small crowd was already at the lookout tower on Harney Peak by the time Mush, David, Lupe and SPHP arrived at the summit. A woman named Vera and her friend, Marsha, took a liking to Lupe right away. Lupe basked in the attention showered on her. Vera and Marsha were here with their husbands Emil and Stan from the Washington D.C. area.
After checking out the views from the tower’s observation deck, and the tiny platform at the top of the steep narrow stairs inside the tower, it was time to make somewhat of an escape from the crowd by heading out onto the massive granite W shoulder of Harney Peak. David relieved Lupe of most of her usual photographic duties.
It was warm and breezy up on Harney Peak. Lupe had fun watching chipmunks, and barking at a helicopter that flew by giving tours. After a leisurely break for snacks and soaking in the views, it was time to go. Mush and David intended to just return to Sylvan Lake by the same route along Trail No. 9. SPHP, however, suggested making a loop past the Cathedral Spires over to Little Devil’s Tower.
Mush and David were a little leery of the idea, especially when SPHP admitted there was a bit of scrambling required to get to the top of Little Devil’s Tower. SPHP assured them the loop wouldn’t add too much time and distance to the return trip, and that the scrambling was pretty easy. With just a bit of caution, there was little or no risk. The views up on Little Devil’s Tower would be worth the effort!
Mush and David agreed to at least try the loop trail, but they weren’t certain about actually scrambling up Little Devil’s Tower. That would depend on what the scramble really looked like up close and personal.
After leaving Harney Peak, Lupe led the way on the loop by leaving Trail No. 9 to follow a short stretch of Norbeck Trail No. 3. Norbeck Trail No. 3 linked up with Trail No. 4 to Little Devil’s Tower. The trail passed near some of the Cathedral Spires along the way.
Taking a short (0.33 mile?) spur trail off Trail No. 4 is necessary to actually reach Little Devil’s Tower. Sometime in the past few years, the spur trail has been re-routed. The new route is shorter, easier, and more scenic than the old route. The spur trail now leaves Trail No. 4 at a high point with a view of the Cathedral Spires to the E. Good signage makes the turn hard to miss.
Most of the spur trail is gently rolling as it passes along the top of a ridge. Nearing Little Devil’s Tower, the trail dips down briefly, and then climbs steeply up a short badly eroding section featuring a lot of loose rocks. Above the loose rocks, the trail levels out at a little pass between large granite formations. A sharp turn to the left reveals a narrow cleft in the granite. The scrambling begins here. White or blue diamonds painted on the granite show the way.
David had no problems, but Mush was rather apprehensive during the scramble. With just a little encouragement, she made it to the top. Although there are some pretty high cliffs off the edge of Little Devil’s Tower, the summit area features fairly large areas that are quite level. Mush was able to relax on Little Devil’s Tower, and seemed glad she’d made the trip up.
Shortly after Lupe reached the summit, Lupe’s new friends Vera, Marsha, Stan and Emil appeared on Little Devil’s Tower, too! Lupe got more loving attention, and had a good time posing with them.
Mush had relaxed so much up on Little Devil’s Tower, that by the time she was on the way down, she was busy pointing out the route and encouraging others who were still on their way up. The side trip to Little Devil’s Tower was a big success. Both Mush and David enjoyed it.
Lupe returned to Trail No. 4 using the same spur trail. From there, Mush, David, Lupe and SPHP all continued on Trail No. 4 toward the Little Devil’s Tower trailhead on Hwy 87/89. This was an easy downhill hike through a scenic valley all the way.
Lupe was disappointed that the little creek near the Little Devil’s Tower trailhead was dried up this time of year. However, it was only another 0.25 mile or so from the Little Devil’s Tower trailhead to the picnic ground at Sylvan Lake.
Used to Indiana elevations, Mush and David were pretty tired by the time they reached Sylvan Lake again. It was hot out. Mush and David went wading at the Sylvan Lake beach. Carolina Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, so Lupe and SPHP hung out along a nearby stretch of shoreline. A bright orange stand of grassy reeds by the shore made for a colorful shot of the lake.
When Mush and David were done wading at the beach, everyone continued N on the Lakeshore Trail along the E side of Sylvan Lake. Mush went down close to the shore again when the area near the dam came into view. Here it was OK for Lupe to go wading and get a drink. Lupe was happy to take her turn cooling her hot paws off.
Lupe, Mush, David, and SPHP continued on the Lakeshore Trail around to the area below the dam N of the lake. From there, Lupe took a very short stretch of the Sunday Gulch trail. By 4:40 PM, Lupe was back at the Honda Fit.
Everyone agreed that the loop to Little Devil’s Tower on the return trip had been a really nice scenic addition to the hike up Harney Peak. It really hadn’t added that much distance or difficulty to the day, although it did add some time spent up on Little Devil’s Tower. Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 97 had been a success!
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