Harney Peak

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Harney Peak
Fire lookout tower atop Harney Peak
Elevation	7,242 feet (2,207 metres)
Location	South Dakota, USA
Range	Black Hills
Coordinates	43°51′57.43″N, 103°31′51.92″W
Topo map	USGS Custer
Easiest route	Trail 9

Harney Peak is the highest mountain in South Dakota, located in Black Hills National Forest. Its elevation is 7,242 ft (2,207 m). The peak is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains in mainland North America. ^[1] An abandoned fire lookout tower is situated on the summit. A plaque at the base of the tower which reads "Valentine McGillycuddy, Wasicu Wacan" marks the final resting place for Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy.

The peak was named in the late 1850s by Lieutenant Gouverneur K. Warren in honor of General William S. Harney, who was commander of the military in the Black Hills area in the late 1850s.

The top can be reached by following the trails either from Sylvan Lake or Horse Thief Lake. The hike from Sylvan Lake to the summit and back is about 6 miles (10 km). Harney Peak is located within the Black Elk Wilderness area. No permit is required for use of the trail, although the National Forest Service asks (at a self-service kiosk) that hikers register to obtain a free permit upon entering the Black Elk Wilderness area, en route to the summit.

The entire area around Harney Peak is one of the most popular hiking locations in the Black Hills. The trails which course through the Black Elk Wilderness and nearby Custer State Park are walked on at all seasons of the year. There has been great interest in expanding this wilderness area in recent years.

View from the top of the Harney Peak fire lookout tower.

Mountain goats are often seen at the top of Harney Peak.

A man-made dam is located at the top of Harney Peak next to the fire lookout tower.

[edit] Note

^ Various peaks on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian arctic, including Barbeau Peak (8,582 ft), are higher than Harney Peak. See Ellesmere Island on peakbagger.com. Greenland also contains many higher points, and is geologically part of North America. Hence the stipulation "mainland." Also, one must consider many peaks in Mexico as lying south of the Rockies, not east of them (despite having a more easterly longitude) for this statement to be true.