After spending a day getting acclimated to the Black Hills by bike and ATV, I was more than ready to stretch my legs and go for a nice long walk. Fortunately, there are plenty of trails that can accommodate that urge, although we picked one that just so happened to lead to the top of Harney Peak, South Dakota's highpoint at 7244 feet (2207 meters).
The day began bright and early with a very scenic drive along the Needles Highway (SD Hwy 87), a 14 mile stretch of road that is so gorgeous that it has been declared a national scenic byway. The route leads to Custer State Park, a massive stretch of wilderness that covers more than 71,000 acres. For those who haven't visited Custer before, it can come as a real surprise. The place is incredibly beautiful, and on par with some of the best national parks that the U.S. has to offer. With its towering rock spires, tranquil lakes, and lush forests, Custer is definitely a place that any outdoor enthusiast visiting South Dakota will want to see for themselves. It perfectly encapsulates the majesty of the Black Hills in so many ways, and is home to a wide array of wildlife, including bison, deer, and numerous other creatures.
While all of us were excited to explore Custer, we couldn't wait to hit the trail to Harney Peak either. The route begins near the stunning Sylvan Lake, which is also amongst the most beautiful places you'll find in the area. Its placid waters reflect the rocks that line the lake's shores, making it an incredible place to snap photos. The lake itself is so enchanting that it would be easy to spend the day just enjoying that view alone. But we had bigger fish to fry, and after donning our daypacks, we soon set out on our trek.
The hike up to Harney Peak is roughly 3.5 miles in length. It winds it way through parts of Custer State Park before moving into the Black Elk Wilderness area. The route is clearly marked, and very easy to follow, with good signage to ensure that you're always headed in the right direction. For the most part, it is an easy walk, although there are sections that climb a bit more steeply than others, particularly as you approach the old lookout tower at the summit. It is estimated that it should take about 2.5 hours to make the hike from the trailhead to the tower, although my group managed to do it in well under two hours, so your mileage will vary.
My group took an early lunch at the top of the mountain, and it proved to be a great place to enjoy a meal and rest our legs before starting back down. We reached the top by late-morning, and upon arrival there weren't too many other hikers there just yet. But the longer we stayed, the more people arrived, and it was clear that the trail could get rather busy at times. If you're walking it yourself, be sure to bring plenty of water too, as it can get quite warm on the way up.
The hike back to the trailhead was just as scenic and enjoyable as the climb up, although the descent went much faster. Along the way, I couldn't help but think that the path would make a great place to go trail running, as it offers a good challenge, although it is generally smooth, wide, and easy to follow.
Once we had finished paying homage to the four great Presidents, and grabbing a sample of Jefferson's famous vanilla ice cream, we hit the road once again. We had plans to visit the Badlands the following day, but in order to get there we needed to drive for several hours to reach the town of Wall. That of course meant that we'd also be visiting the famous Wall Drug, another true institution in South Dakota. The family owned business started as a small drug store back in the 1930's, and over the years has grown into a sprawling establishment that covers more than 76,000 square feet. It includes numerous shops that sell all kinds of tourist items, as well as food, art, jewelry, and clothing.
We rounded out our busy day with a walk around Wall, and dropping by a local high school football game. There is nothing quite like small town America, and it was fun to experience that once again. With a population of just over 800 people, Wall isn't a bustling metropolis. But it is filled with friendly, down-to-earth people who are most definitely welcoming to visitors.
Next up, the Badlands awaited. But that would be the start of a new day.