Harney Peak in the Black Elk Wilderness section of the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota is the highest mountain in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. Warne Peak is 7,242 feet high. There are nine mountains in South Dakota higher than the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River, which is Mt. Mitchell in Virginia at 6,684.
Harney Peak dominates the Black Hills National Forest skyline
The beautiful view from Harney Peak in the Black Elk Wilderness
Harney is not even in the top 200 highest peaks in the United States as number 200 is Hayden Peak in Alaska at 11,924 feet. The highest peak east of the Rockies higher than Harney Peak is found in the Pyrenees in France. Mt. Aneto is the highest peak in the Pyrenees at 11,168 feet.
Harney Peak inscription at the base of the tower
Harney Peak tower
At the top of Harney Peak is an observation tower built by the CCC in 1939. On a windy, very cold Thanksgiving weekend I summited this peak on a backpacking trip. I ran into a couple on the way down who looked at me like I was crazy when they saw my backpack. “Are you camping out here,” they said looking at the foot of snow covering the landscape. “Yes, I am,” I replied. They lived in the area: you know you are doing something out of the ordinary when the locals look at you like you are insane.
The first view of the top of Harney Peak
The stairs leading up to the Harney Peak tower
Harney Peak is usually packed with visitors, but now when it is sub 30 degrees with half a foot of snow on the ground, I had the observatory to myself. I stood in awe of the surrounding Black Hills. Rock formations thrusting out of the ground could be seen near and far.
Harney Peak Tower built by the CCC in 1939
Camping on Harney Peak
After taking many pictures and enjoying the landscape it was time to take off. I descended down the other side of the mountain. There is a sign there stating it was not the way to Sylvan Lake. Most people come up for a day hike from Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. It is a 3.5 mile one way trip, so a 7 mile round trip, which is the perfect distance for a day hike. Apparently some day hikers become discombobulated with the beauty of the lookout and head the wrong way down the trail.
My car was on the other side of the mountain, but it was getting late, so I camped about a mile down the mountain. The wind howled and temperatures plummeted in to the teens. As the sunset, a ray of light hit the Harney Peak tower and glowed blood red. It looked like Dracula’s Castle in the eerie twilight.
Harney Peak looking like something out of Transylvania
As soon as the sunset, so did I: exhausted from a long day of hiking. I turned in at 6 p.m. One does not winter backpack for the nightlife.
Amazing views of the surrounding Black Hills
The Black Hills scenery is fantastic
Close up of some amazing Black Hills rock formations
More rock formations from Harney Peak
Harney Peak lookout
One last look at Harney Peak tower and it was onward to my car and warmth
Adventure on!
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Great photos! Looks beautiful in the snow!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..5 reasons you shouldn’t spend all your time on South Beach
Thanks Jeremy,
Snow always does add a new dimension to outdoor beauty.
Beautiful pictures Ted.
robb714 recently posted..Handling the Holidays
Thanks Robb,
I would put this area right up there with some of the most beautiful parts of America.
Wow, okay, I get why you like winter, these views are beautiful. Although you wouldn’t catch me camping with snow on the ground, these pictures tell it all. Ted, you are making me fall in love with America!
The World Wanderer recently posted..Where to Next, You Ask?
Erin,
One advantage of winter camping is no bears. There is a lot to love here Erin.
Camping in the teens? How on earth do you keep warm? Great shots from the tower!
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Traveler’s Confession – I Own A Timeshare
When you are backpacking with 40-50 pounds on your pack, you warm up quick. When you camp, that is a different story. I went to bed about 6 p.m. both nights in my warm army sleeping bag.
Ted – what a wonderful part of the country to explore and nothing like having it to yourself. You’ve got some great photos in there too.
Leigh recently posted..7 Backcountry Lodges in the Canadian Rockies
Thanks Leigh,
I would put the beauty of the Black Hills right up there with Utah. Not as beautiful as Bryce and Zion, but close.
Very cool observatory at the top there – sort of reminds me of the structure at the top of Mount Evans.
John recently posted..Under the Sea of Cortez
Is Mount Evans a CCC structure? There was a lot of good work done on the National Parks done during the New Deal. I think we need a second New Deal.
Gorgeous, unique country…thanks..
Cheers..
Charles Higgins recently posted..Third annual Cirque Week begins December 1, 2012 in Las Vegas
Thanks Charles. Those two words ring true for the Black Hills.
I did not quite picture South Dakota like that! The Black Hills look beautiful indeed but I am not camping in those temps! (says he going to Kilimanjaro next Feb… gulp)
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..Curacao Photo Essay: Art, Architecture and Some Very Dark Skies
Most of the state is prairie. It is not until you get to the far western part that the scenery picks up.
Holy cow, that black rock formation looks insane in the snow. Great view shots!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Purikura and Pretty Faces
Thanks Kieu,
Snow definitely makes beautiful places that much better.
I drove cross country after my college days, I wanted to explore America… and when people asked about some of my favorite spots… South Dakota definitely makes the list… and these photos prove why.
although I’ll admit I thought it was cold to camp there in June.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Chepe – All Aboard the Chihuahua Pacifico Train to Copper Canyon
I don’t doubt that it was cold in June. The weather can be iffy here in Chicago in early June, so at 7,000 feet it will be even colder.