Route Climbed: Palmer Gulch Trail Date Climbed: 6/25/05
Although I have hikes Harney Peaks several times, this was my first time from Palmer Gulch. After reaching the summit, I took the south trail around and back to Palmer Gulch. About 9 miles round trip. A great time!!!!
Route Climbed: Trail 4 up, and Trail 9 down. Date Climbed: October 1, 2005
The trip up Harney Peak was great. The views along Trail 4 were impressive, as was the view from the tower at the top. Many of the trees were near their peak Fall colors. The round trip took about three hours.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake trail #9 Date Climbed: Sept. 5, 2005
Even though the Sylvan Lake approach is such a yak trail, I wanted to walk through those spires. They did not disappoint. It was alot more wooded over then I thought (from written accounts) and only the very top is above tree line. Views 360 degrees, but a trip to Mt. Coolidge's summit (a drive-up) is well worth it for the view of Crazy Horse, Harney Peak, The Needles, Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, etc.
By the way, I camped out about a mile from Sylvan Lake, after I paid my 5 dollars fee (good for one week). I would definitely return to this interesting place.
Route Climbed: Went up #4, came back thru #9 Date Climbed: September 1st, 2005
Just thought I'd note went up for a quick trip Thursday evening. Went up #4 from Sylvan(always prefer this route, I like the quick elevation gain just after the The Little Devil's Tower trail splits off. I Decided to take #9 down, hadn't done #9 in a while. Probably 2hrs 45min with 10 minutes of that enjoying the view. It's probably my 20th time up maybe more. Brinkley the Golden Retriever's accompanied me and Michelle - his 5th or 6th time to the top, he doesn't mind the metal grate stairs at the top anymore:) Thursday evening was beautiful, think last time was in April or May and it snowed all the way up.
Route Climbed: Via Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: August 2005
Growing up in S.D., I've hiked up Harney Peak probably two dozen times at least at all times of the year. It's a beautiful hike through the pines. I've made it from Sylvan Lake to the top in 45 minutes, and many people jog to the top.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake, Trail #9 Date Climbed: August 19, 2005
My wife and I hiked this in 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were pressed for time. The weather was cloudy, so it was neat to watch the mists blow through from the tops. Very pretty hike. We just moved from Colorado and thought this hike was very similar to many hikes we did in Colorado.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Trail Date Climbed: July 1997
Hiked up with some friends. At the summit, we waited out a big thunderstorm in the lookout tower before heading down. Great hike, and lots of people around.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: June 25, 2005
Left Sylvan lake about 8:45 AM. Summited the peak about 1 hour and 40 minutes later with my daughter Grace. She is 1 and did great in the kid carrier backpack. All three of my kids have been on the peak before their 2nd birthday. Great day to hike. On the way down passed 86 people total going up. Very busy day on Harney. The busiest I have ever seen it. Like "granddiety", I also had a comment about my "ski poles". Had to correct the gentleman and tell him that they were treking poles.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Trail Date Climbed: 10/12/99
This was a pretty nice hike for a fall day. Great views of the needles and other stone formations. Theres also that nice pine scent in the Black Hills to accompany you on your hike. It was a clear day so we could see the entire black hills area out to the plains. Mount Rushmore was visible also.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: late October 2002
My fifth state highpoint, and the third on a solo road trip that took me from Leavenworth, Kansas to Provo, Utah. My hike up Harney was cold with some snow on the ground, but a fair number of people on the trail for the season and weather. I had the summit to myself. As noted on the route description, there was a short time I doubted that I was following the correct trail due to elevation loss and snow on the ground. I highly recommend this hike, even in October.
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: April 9, 2005
My buddy Barry and I climbed Harney on April 9, 2005. Made it to the top in pretty good time. Weather was nice that evening. Set up camp just west of the summit in a ravine between two rock cliffs. Nice area but when the wind kicked up the wind howled through the channel we were in. Hung out at the top and planned on watching a sun set until a snow storm started to move in. Nothing major, but ruined any chance of a good picture from the summit. We decided to wake up early the next morning and get the sunrise coming up and maybe get some good light on the Needles. Woke up about 5:30 AM. Was so cold that the water accumulated from the rain and snow during the night was frozen on the ground around the tent. Managed to pull ourselves out of the warm bags and go watch the sunrise. The thermometer on my watch said it was 31 degrees and with the wind chill it was about 10. Good hike!! This is about my 10th time on the summit.
Route Climbed: #4 and #9 Date Climbed: Mai 29th 2005
My wife, 2 friends, and I climbed Harney Peak this Sunday. The hike was fun, however, it started raining a few minutes before we reached the summit and continued for a while. Thus we did not have any great views from the top. However, on the way up we enjoyed scrambling around on some of the rocks next to the trail.
Route Climbed: #4 and #9 Date Climbed: May 1997, 1998, 2005
I've gone up three times: once via Needles and twice via the Sylvan Lake route. Both were fun and very pretty. The first time I was above the clouds. Gorgeous. The last time I got to see a thunderstorm roll in just to the north of us. No trip to The Black Hills should be without this hike.
Vagabond Manifesto - Dec 14, 2005 3:48 am
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: July 8, 2001Good hike, beautiful forest. Great views out to the Badlands. But nothing beats cliff jumping at Sylvan Lake!
jm485 - Nov 28, 2005 9:49 pm
Route Climbed: Palmer Gulch Trail Date Climbed: 6/25/05Although I have hikes Harney Peaks several times, this was my first time from Palmer Gulch. After reaching the summit, I took the south trail around and back to Palmer Gulch. About 9 miles round trip. A great time!!!!
outofstep80 - Nov 7, 2005 3:11 pm
Route Climbed: regular route Date Climbed: June 3, 2005Definitely a fun trek. Not to strenuous but you should carry a bit of water.
olddawgprobe - Oct 23, 2005 8:20 pm
Route Climbed: Trail 4 up, and Trail 9 down. Date Climbed: October 1, 2005The trip up Harney Peak was great. The views along Trail 4 were impressive, as was the view from the tower at the top. Many of the trees were near their peak Fall colors. The round trip took about three hours.
Seth Maciejowski - Oct 14, 2005 5:21 pm
Route Climbed: Regular Trail Date Climbed: August 2002A very interesting and unique peak that is well worth a visit. The granite spire around here are simply amazing and the park is well maintained.
El_Capitan - Oct 12, 2005 2:39 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: October 2, 2005Beautiful easy hike especially with the changing of the leaves. 2 easy hours up.
omahiker - Sep 26, 2005 9:27 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: July 2004I talked my 12 year old twins into climbing Harney Peak with me. We had a great time in beautiful surroundings.
woodstrider - Sep 14, 2005 2:37 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake trail #9 Date Climbed: Sept. 5, 2005Even though the Sylvan Lake approach is such a yak trail, I wanted to walk through those spires. They did not disappoint. It was alot more wooded over then I thought (from written accounts) and only the very top is above tree line. Views 360 degrees, but a trip to Mt. Coolidge's summit (a drive-up) is well worth it for the view of Crazy Horse, Harney Peak, The Needles, Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, etc.
By the way, I camped out about a mile from Sylvan Lake, after I paid my 5 dollars fee (good for one week). I would definitely return to this interesting place.
eapikula - Sep 5, 2005 4:12 pm
Route Climbed: Went up #4, came back thru #9 Date Climbed: September 1st, 2005Just thought I'd note went up for a quick trip Thursday evening. Went up #4 from Sylvan(always prefer this route, I like the quick elevation gain just after the The Little Devil's Tower trail splits off. I Decided to take #9 down, hadn't done #9 in a while. Probably 2hrs 45min with 10 minutes of that enjoying the view. It's probably my 20th time up maybe more. Brinkley the Golden Retriever's accompanied me and Michelle - his 5th or 6th time to the top, he doesn't mind the metal grate stairs at the top anymore:) Thursday evening was beautiful, think last time was in April or May and it snowed all the way up.
Smithman123 - Aug 29, 2005 9:08 pm
Route Climbed: Via Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: August 2005Growing up in S.D., I've hiked up Harney Peak probably two dozen times at least at all times of the year. It's a beautiful hike through the pines. I've made it from Sylvan Lake to the top in 45 minutes, and many people jog to the top.
braddk - Aug 19, 2005 9:06 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake, Trail #9 Date Climbed: August 19, 2005My wife and I hiked this in 2 hours and 20 minutes. We were pressed for time. The weather was cloudy, so it was neat to watch the mists blow through from the tops. Very pretty hike. We just moved from Colorado and thought this hike was very similar to many hikes we did in Colorado.
starship_jen - Aug 4, 2005 11:32 pm
Route Climbed: Trail #4 Date Climbed: June 3, 2005Perfect early morning hike with pristine views from the top! The Black Hills are beautiful!
davis13 - Jul 31, 2005 9:05 am
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: 1999-20013 summits. Great views. Wish I had started rock climbing when I lived there.
tylosaurus - Jul 26, 2005 4:30 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Trail Date Climbed: July 1997Hiked up with some friends. At the summit, we waited out a big thunderstorm in the lookout tower before heading down. Great hike, and lots of people around.
predator24 - Jun 27, 2005 9:56 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: June 25, 2005Left Sylvan lake about 8:45 AM. Summited the peak about 1 hour and 40 minutes later with my daughter Grace. She is 1 and did great in the kid carrier backpack. All three of my kids have been on the peak before their 2nd birthday. Great day to hike. On the way down passed 86 people total going up. Very busy day on Harney. The busiest I have ever seen it. Like "granddiety", I also had a comment about my "ski poles". Had to correct the gentleman and tell him that they were treking poles.
fortaz107 - Jun 27, 2005 8:35 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Trail Date Climbed: 10/12/99This was a pretty nice hike for a fall day. Great views of the needles and other stone formations. Theres also that nice pine scent in the Black Hills to accompany you on your hike. It was a clear day so we could see the entire black hills area out to the plains. Mount Rushmore was visible also.
grunt - Jun 23, 2005 4:21 pm
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: late October 2002My fifth state highpoint, and the third on a solo road trip that took me from Leavenworth, Kansas to Provo, Utah. My hike up Harney was cold with some snow on the ground, but a fair number of people on the trail for the season and weather. I had the summit to myself. As noted on the route description, there was a short time I doubted that I was following the correct trail due to elevation loss and snow on the ground. I highly recommend this hike, even in October.
predator24 - Jun 23, 2005 12:26 am
Route Climbed: Sylvan Lake Date Climbed: April 9, 2005My buddy Barry and I climbed Harney on April 9, 2005. Made it to the top in pretty good time. Weather was nice that evening. Set up camp just west of the summit in a ravine between two rock cliffs. Nice area but when the wind kicked up the wind howled through the channel we were in. Hung out at the top and planned on watching a sun set until a snow storm started to move in. Nothing major, but ruined any chance of a good picture from the summit. We decided to wake up early the next morning and get the sunrise coming up and maybe get some good light on the Needles. Woke up about 5:30 AM. Was so cold that the water accumulated from the rain and snow during the night was frozen on the ground around the tent. Managed to pull ourselves out of the warm bags and go watch the sunrise. The thermometer on my watch said it was 31 degrees and with the wind chill it was about 10. Good hike!! This is about my 10th time on the summit.
georgbetsy - Jun 1, 2005 12:11 pm
Route Climbed: #4 and #9 Date Climbed: Mai 29th 2005My wife, 2 friends, and I climbed Harney Peak this Sunday. The hike was fun, however, it started raining a few minutes before we reached the summit and continued for a while. Thus we did not have any great views from the top. However, on the way up we enjoyed scrambling around on some of the rocks next to the trail.
Ilafan - Apr 3, 2005 4:44 pm
Route Climbed: #4 and #9 Date Climbed: May 1997, 1998, 2005I've gone up three times: once via Needles and twice via the Sylvan Lake route. Both were fun and very pretty. The first time I was above the clouds. Gorgeous. The last time I got to see a thunderstorm roll in just to the north of us. No trip to The Black Hills should be without this hike.