![]() Many Native Americans have long desired the mountain’s name be changed. The Lakota Sioux call the mountain Hinhan Kaga Paha. Visitors to the mountain are asked to not disturb the prayer cloths. The Lakota still come here for religious ceremonies. Just below the tower, attached to one of the few pine trees on the summit, are colorful prayer flags and other offerings. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being." Black Elk described his Great Vision on Okawita Paha (Harney Peak) "I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. He later returned as an old man with John Neihardt, to whom he told his autobiography: Black Elk Speaks in 1932. Black Elk Peak is the site where the Lakota Holy man, Black Elk, received his "great vision" when he was only nine years old in 1872. Now its primary use is a destination for hikers and occasional horseback riders that come up Trail 9 North. The tower served as a fire lookout until 1967. In building the present tower, all the stone, cement and sand used in the tower had to be hauled up over three miles by 2-wheel carts pulled by mules and horses. It replaced an older fire tower that was built there in 1920. The stone fire lookout tower that stands at the summit was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp and completed in 1938. When McGillycuddy died, he was cremated and his ashes were placed in a memorial in the new stone fire tower at the summit in 1939. McGillycuddy later became Chief Crazy Horse’s friend and surgeon. Valentine McGillycuddy’s exploration party in 1875. However, the first recorded ascent was made by Dr. Since many native tribes consider Black Elk Peak to be a holy mountain, there have been ascents by natives in past centuries. General George Armstrong Custer led the first expedition of European Americans to explore the Black Hills in 1874. Various tribes have called the Black Hills home, including the Cheyenne, the Crow and the Sioux. The Black Elk Peak area has long been inhabited by Native Americans. NOTE: Both the old and new names for this peak are listed at the top of the page for reference so that visitors to the page become aware of the official name change. Bird watchers enjoy the opportunities afforded by the variety of trails to the summit. There are rare sightings of mountain lions and coyotes, but they generally do not like being around large numbers of people. Despite the large numbers of hikers on Black Elk Peak every year, wildlife is in abundance there, with deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and pronghorn antelope seen regularly. The forest that remains on the peak consists mostly of Ponderosa pines, spruce, and aspens. Much of the damage has been cleared away, but some still remain. The forest on Black Elk Peak has suffered serious damage from pine beetles in recent years, plus Winter Storm Atlas in 2013 felled many more trees. Black Elk Peak is probably the most popular hiking destination in the Black Hills. Hikers have multiple route options to reach the summit from Custer State Park and various locations in the Black Elk Wilderness. It is no longer in use but is open to hikers. There is an old stone tower that was used as a fire lookout on the summit. On a clear day, one can see four states – South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska. Although the mountain is well below treeline, the summit is mostly bare rock with uninhibited and spectacular views. The mountain and surrounding range is granite that many geologists believe was uplifted during the Laramide orogeny between 40 and 60 million years ago. ![]() Black Elk Peak has over 2,900 feet of prominence. The peak is also the high point in the Black Elk Wilderness as well as the highest summit in a line between the Rocky Mountains and the Pyrenees Mountains in France. Morning Clouds In The Valley Below Black Elk Peak ![]() Black Elk Peak is the high point of the state of South Dakota and is located in the Black Hills in the southwestern portion of the state. That ruling will affect how the summit is named on all federal maps in the future. ![]() Board of Geographic Names on August 11, 2016. Amid much controversy in the state of South Dakota, the former Harney Peak is now officially Black Elk Peak, following a ruling by the U.S. ![]()
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