For over 150 years, South Dakota's highest point known as Harney Peak was renamed Black Elk Peak in 2016. On August 11, 2016, the U.S. Geographic Names Board officially changed the name from Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak. There are no roads to the summit and it can only be reached by walking less than four miles. The trail begins in Custer State Park near Sylvan Lake. The trail from Sylvan Lake to Black Elk Peak, previously known as Harney Peak, is moderately difficult but traveled quite heavily.
For Native Americans, especially the Sioux, the granite highlight is sacred ground. It was on this peak that a young Black Elk experienced a vision towering over the Sioux Nation. Many years later, as he evolved as a respected elder and medicine man, he would publicly recount that vision. Drive up Highway Needles. Park on the "Spires Cathedral" trail. It only takes 2:30 to get to the summit when you start from this trailhead. Crawl up the slide of big rocks when you seem to lose the trail. The rest of them are clearly marked. Go across the granite when you reach the summit and find the pins in the rocks that mark specific points.
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