Hikers we met were consistently disappointed that we weren't climbing on the trip. The Black Hills have a spectacular trail system which are highlighted everywhere with perhaps the best trailhead street directions of any state. Harney Peak, of course, is the premier hike. We left on our hike at 9 a.m. and returned to Sylvan Lake by 2 p.m. The Lake was created at the turn of the century by daming a creek as a tourist lodge was built on its banks.
Huge boulders rise from the lake.
You should not underestimate the elevation factor. Conventional wisdom for avoiding this problem is to take aspirin, drink plenty of water, keep food in your stomach and avoid heavy breakfasts. I was disappointed not to find a registration book on the summit. A sign on the summit makes the claim that Harney is the highest peak between the Rockies and the Pyranees. This is not quite accurate in that Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic in the Carribean is 10,416 feet.