Black Elk Peak (Harney Peak) via Little Devil’s Tower & Cathedral Spires: South Dakota’s Black Hills

“And as I stood there I saw more than I can tell, and understood more than I saw.”
Black Elk
This 8.7 mile loop starts at the Black Elk Peak trailhead (also the Sylvan Lake trailhead). We travel down trail #4 to Little Devil’s Tower. Then we head to the Cathedral Spires and up to Black Elk Peak (aka Harney Peak). This is the highest point in South Dakota at 7,242 feet. We then head down trail #9 back to the trailhead.
Paha sapa.

[@itsallknee]

Absolutely love that hike to Harney Peak. I hiked up there the first time in 2016 and will forever cherish that day! Also, love your "Lions not Sheep" hat!! 🙌🏼 Keep up the great work!

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you. It is a great hike. Enjoy the trails.

[@hikewithsierra2163]

I was just there a few days ago and uploaded my video of Cathedral Spires Trail. Something cool they are doing after memorial day is you go on certain hikes and collect the "check points" and then turn them in for a limited edition park pin.

[@barbiebswartz6352]

Wonderful views …. Took a deep breath when Kim climbed and stood on the large rock or cliff. Made me a little nervous…..would have been a long drop had you slipped. Be careful …. Want to enjoy more of your videos.

[@whataboutthepotatoes6085]

Great job. Much appreciation for this.

[@nolanventures473]

It is a great place…and a great trail. Enjoy the trails!

[@dazed2040]

The wife and I just did this hike. We did 9 up and 4 down. Amazing video!

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you. This is a great trail system. Enjoy the trails!

[@RuggedMile]

Some great hiking trails! Looks like you had the whole area to yourselves!👍

[@nolanventures473]

We did have it mostly to ourselves. We have hiked it in the summer and it is very busy. A late November hike with few folks is a bonus.

[@DrJohn493]

Nice outing and nice scenery from a part of the west that's often overlooked (myself included!).

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you. The Black Hills are underrated. Plenty of wilderness area to explore.

[@woollychaps]

Love the drone sounds at the end. Very atmospheric. 😂

[@nolanventures473]

Some dude from a state I won’t mention kept flying his drone at the trailhead parking lot with no regard for the tranquility of the area or concern for others. Not a fan of drones. We don’t come to the wilderness to hear drones flying - but it’s all good.

[@woollychaps]

@@nolanventures473same. Did this guy's state start with a "C" and end with an "A"? That's just a stab in the dark. You see all these great shots taken by drones on KZbin, many of which seem very peaceful. Which isn't necessarily the case if you're there in person!

[@nolanventures473]

Some of the drone footage is cool and impressive. I just feel like it is too intrusive and disturbing to the tranquility we seek in the wild.

[@Alohabutterfly]

I'm headed to the Black Hills in a couple weeks (this will be my second trip to the BH). I hope to do this same hike.

[@nolanventures473]

Enjoy the hills

[@Connect662]

Sent here from all trails

[@nolanventures473]

Good to know - thanks!

[@oscarsmithfootball1128]

I just came across your channel and love the beautiful sites you guys share.. My 2 sons are actually taking me on my first hike this weekend in Virginia.. Keep up the great work and I hope you two continue enjoying all the beauties of nature.

[@nolanventures473]

Thanks and enjoy the great outdoors!

[@woollychaps]

Beautiful. Thanks for posting as always. Lions Not Sheep 👍

[@nolanventures473]

Be a lion! 👊

[@user-ru9gf7ky2y]

We've hiked trail 9 three straight years. It's the most popular route. However, I think we will be taking 4 after watching this video. Did you guys go down stairs in the tower and go out on the hill? I found the survey marker and what not. Super cool to stand at the official spit

[@nolanventures473]

The loop is fantastic and better than the out and back in our opinion if you have the time. Happy trails.

[@taramouk1005]

How much bolder climbing is there? We tried to summit Mt. Washington last year and hated it. My 12 year old son hikes with me. It doesn't look too rocky.

[@kimberlynolan2745]

Minimal to no bolder climbing or scrambling required on this hike, however if you do take the spur off to Little Devil's Tower there is a very small amount. Probably not enough to actually qualify as bolder climbing 😁👍 I suppose it is relative depending on your previous experiences. We did the summit to Cloud Peak in the Bighorn Mountains which required major amounts of bolder scrambling, so I classify anything other than that as minimal. Nonetheless, this hike to Harney Peak is fantastic and very enjoyable.

[@nolanventures473]

Very doable

[@LauraMcBride-p1x]

My husband and I did this loop last week. Up 9 and down 4, was absolutely stunning. I watched your video to reminisce and discovered it is SO much better than our pictures! Nice job!

[@EliseNGriffiths]

Great vid! How long did it take?

[@nolanventures473]

Took us about 4-5 hours. We spend lots of time taking in views, pictures and videos. It can certainly be done faster....but I wouldn’t rush it. It’s too beautiful. Thanks for the comment and enjoy.

[@RFE812]

The highest point in the Midwest.

[@nolanventures473]

I believe you are correct. Thank you and enjoy the trails!

[@RFE812]

@@nolanventures473 Have you been to the highest points in any other states?