The wilderness area that the peak is located within was named after him, as well. The new name honors Black Elk, a Lakota, Holy Man who died in 1950. The name of the mountain was changed from Harney Peak just a few years ago so many signs and maps still carry the old name. Black Elk Peak is the new name for Harney Peakīlack Elk Peak is located within the Harney range. Unlike many other trails in the Black Hills, you should expect to have A LOT of company on your hike, at least during the busy season. At a bare minimum, traction devices such as Yaktrax are a MUST during the snowy months.Īs with the majority of Custer State Park, you can take dogs on this trail. Also, this trail is VERY popular, even in the winter months, so the snow on it gets packed into very slippery ice. Always remember that because this is the highest portion of the Black Hills, it tends to get more snow than the surrounding areas and that snow tends to stick around longer. You can hike this trail any time of the year (weather-permitting that Route 87 is open so you can get to the trailhead). When is the best time of year to hike the Black Elk Peak Trail? You can reach it from the east side of the main parking lot at the lake, which is found just off of Route 87. It is adjacent to the picturesque Sylvan Lake. The trailhead is located within Custer State Park. For a review of that trail, which is only lightly traveled and is FAR more strenuous than the southern route (in my opinion it is one of the hardest trails in the entire Black Hills) click here. You can also attempt Trail #9 from the north. This is the easiest way up Black Elk Peak. In this post, I am reviewing the route that traverses the south side of the mountain. ![]() It summits Black Elk Peak, which is the tallest peak in the Hills (at over 7000 feet in elevation) and it is also the tallest mountain in the entire country east of the Rockies! Black Elk Peak trail (Trail #9) is one of the most popular hikes in the entire Black Hills.
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