{"id":5100,"date":"2017-09-14T08:10:19","date_gmt":"2017-09-14T14:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5100"},"modified":"2020-09-21T14:26:57","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T20:26:57","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-97-harney-peak-little-devils-tower-9-25-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5100","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 97 – Harney Peak & Little Devil’s Tower (9-25-14)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mush and David were in the Black Hills on vacation.\u00a0 Before they went back to Indiana, they wanted to hike up Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the highest mountain in South Dakota.\u00a0 Naturally, Lupe and SPHP were\u00a0eager to join in on the fun!<\/p>\n

It was going to be a hot day, in the 90’s \u00b0F out on the western South Dakota prairies.\u00a0 Even Harney Peak would get pretty warm.\u00a0 A relatively early start would help make the trek more pleasant.\u00a0 By 8:00 AM, David was parking the Honda Fit near Sylvan Lake Lodge<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 The\u00a0morning was totally clear, calm, and a still pleasant 60\u00b0F.<\/p>\n

Harney Peak is located in the Black Elk Wilderness, which features a fairly extensive trail system<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 The most popular, and one of the shortest routes up Harney Peak, is Trail No. 9 from Sylvan Lake.\u00a0 The trail starts at the SE corner of Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and climbs pretty steadily for most of the 3.5 mile (one way) trek.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 This granite outcropping offers views off to the N, and\u00a0a first good look at Harney Peak up ahead.<\/p>\n

\"Mush<\/a>
Mush and David stop by the granite outcropping near Trail No. 9. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Harney<\/a>
Harney Peak (Center) is the highest point in the distance. The summit won’t be this clearly visible again from the Sylvan Lake route until almost at the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There were plenty of hikers on the trail on this beautiful, warm early fall day.\u00a0 A small crowd was already at the lookout tower on Harney Peak by the time Mush, David, Lupe and SPHP arrived at the summit.\u00a0 A woman named Vera and her friend, Marsha, took a liking to Lupe right away.\u00a0 Lupe basked in the attention showered on her.\u00a0 Vera and Marsha were here with their husbands Emil and Stan from the Washington D.C. area.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 David relieved Lupe of most of her usual photographic duties.<\/p>\n

\"David<\/a>
David on the W shoulder of Harney Peak. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sylvan<\/a>
Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the high point on the R on the closest ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"An<\/a>
An American Dingo was sighted on the massive granite W shoulder of Harney Peak! It was a very healthy-looking, bright-eyed, and energetic specimen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cathedral<\/a>
Cathedral Spires<\/a><\/span> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Little Devil’s Tower<\/a><\/span> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R), and Peak 6920<\/strong><\/a><\/span> (R edge) from Harney Peak. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking E back toward the lookout tower at the summit of Harney Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"David<\/a>\"David<\/a>\"David<\/a>It was warm and breezy up on Harney Peak.\u00a0 Lupe had fun watching chipmunks, and barking at a helicopter that flew by giving tours.\u00a0 After a leisurely break for snacks and soaking in the views, it was time to go.\u00a0 Mush and David intended to just return to Sylvan Lake by the same route along Trail No. 9.\u00a0 SPHP, however, suggested making a loop past the Cathedral Spires over to Little Devil’s Tower.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 SPHP assured them the loop wouldn’t add too much time and distance to the return trip, and that the scrambling was pretty easy.\u00a0 With just a bit of caution, there was little or no risk.\u00a0 The views up on Little Devil’s Tower would be worth the effort!<\/p>\n

Mush and David\u00a0agreed to at least try the loop trail, but they weren’t certain about actually scrambling up Little Devil’s Tower.\u00a0\u00a0That would\u00a0depend on what\u00a0the scramble\u00a0really looked like up close and personal.<\/p>\n

After leaving Harney Peak, Lupe\u00a0led the way\u00a0on the loop by leaving Trail No. 9 to follow a short stretch of Norbeck Trail No. 3.\u00a0 Norbeck Trail No. 3\u00a0linked up with Trail No. 4 to Little Devil’s Tower.\u00a0 The trail passed near some of the Cathedral Spires along the way.<\/p>\n

\"Mush<\/a>
Mush and David nearing part of the Cathedral Spires.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cathedral<\/a>
Cathedral Spires from Trail No. 4. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking a short (0.33 mile?) spur trail off Trail No. 4 is necessary to actually reach Little Devil’s Tower.\u00a0 Sometime in the past few years, the spur trail has been re-routed.\u00a0 The new route is shorter, easier, and more scenic than the old route.\u00a0 The\u00a0spur trail now\u00a0leaves Trail No. 4 at a high point with a view of the Cathedral Spires to the E.\u00a0 Good signage makes the turn\u00a0hard to miss.<\/p>\n

Most of the spur trail is gently rolling\u00a0as it passes along the\u00a0top of a ridge.\u00a0 Nearing Little Devil’s Tower,\u00a0the\u00a0trail dips down briefly,\u00a0and then\u00a0climbs steeply up a short badly eroding section\u00a0featuring\u00a0a lot\u00a0of loose rocks.\u00a0 Above the loose rocks, the\u00a0trail levels out at a little pass between\u00a0large granite formations.\u00a0 A sharp turn to the left reveals a narrow cleft in the granite.\u00a0 The scrambling begins here.\u00a0 White or blue diamonds painted on the granite show the way.<\/p>\n

David had no problems, but Mush was rather apprehensive during the scramble.\u00a0 With just a little encouragement,\u00a0she made it to the top.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Mush was able to relax on Little Devil’s Tower, and seemed glad she’d made the trip up.<\/p>\n

Shortly after Lupe reached the summit, Lupe’s new friends Vera, Marsha, Stan and Emil appeared on Little Devil’s Tower, too!\u00a0 Lupe got more loving attention,\u00a0and had a good time posing with them.<\/p>\n

\"L<\/a>
L to R: Emil, Stan, Vera and Marsha from the Washington D.C. area pose with Lupe on top of Little Devil’s Tower. Photo looks SE toward the Cathedral Spires.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Mush<\/a>
Mush and Lupe on Little Devil’s Tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe shows off her Black Hills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.\u00a0 The side trip to Little Devil’s Tower was a big success.\u00a0 Both Mush and David enjoyed it.<\/p>\n

Lupe returned to Trail No. 4 using the same spur trail.\u00a0 From there, Mush, David, Lupe and SPHP all\u00a0continued on\u00a0Trail No. 4 toward the Little Devil’s Tower trailhead on Hwy 87\/89.\u00a0 This was an easy downhill hike through a scenic\u00a0valley all the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Mush on Trail No. 4 nearing the Little Devil’s Tower trailhead on Hwy 87\/89.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was disappointed that the little creek near the Little Devil’s Tower trailhead was dried up this time of year.\u00a0 However, it was only another 0.25 mile or so from the Little Devil’s Tower trailhead to the picnic ground at Sylvan Lake.<\/p>\n

Used to Indiana elevations, Mush and David were pretty tired by the time they reached Sylvan Lake again.\u00a0 It was hot out.\u00a0 Mush and David went wading at the Sylvan Lake beach.\u00a0 Carolina Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach, so Lupe and SPHP hung out along a nearby stretch of shoreline.\u00a0 A bright orange stand of grassy reeds by the shore made for a colorful shot of the lake.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe at Sylvan Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Mush and David were done wading at the beach, everyone continued N on the Lakeshore Trail along the E side of Sylvan Lake.\u00a0 Mush went down close to the shore again when the area near the dam came into view.\u00a0 Here it was OK for Lupe to go wading and get a drink.\u00a0 Lupe was happy to take her turn cooling her hot paws off.<\/p>\n

\"Mush<\/a>
Mush at Sylvan Lake. The small dam is in the far corner of the lake near the center of this photo. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe gets a drink and some relief for her hot, tired paws.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe, Mush, David, and SPHP continued on the Lakeshore Trail around to the area below the dam N of the lake.\u00a0 From there, Lupe took a very short stretch of the Sunday Gulch trail.\u00a0 By 4:40 PM,\u00a0Lupe was back at the Honda Fit.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 97 had been a success!<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Sunday Gulch trail on the way to the Honda Fit from Sylvan Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or Master Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mush and David were in the Black Hills on vacation.\u00a0 Before they went back to Indiana, they wanted to hike up Harney Peak (7,242 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota.\u00a0 Naturally, Lupe and SPHP were\u00a0eager to join in on the fun! It was going to be a hot day, in the 90’s \u00b0F out … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 97 – Harney Peak & Little Devil’s Tower (9-25-14)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5093,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,1288,158,157,104,1287,304,269],"class_list":["post-5100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-david","tag-harney-peak","tag-little-devils-tower","tag-lupe","tag-mush","tag-south-dakota","tag-sylvan-lake"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/P1050516.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5100"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28241,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5100\/revisions\/28241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}