Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-08-18
A Night on Harvey Peak.

Among the numerous visitors to Har-
ney Peak, few have enjoyed the pleas
ures incident to a night camp upon its
apex, from which a sunset, or sunrise
view is so entrancingly grand as to be
ever he'd among lifes pleasing memories.
This supreme pleasure was enjoyed by a
Custer coterie on last Monday night,
and is thus described by one of the
party:
"Our party consisting Oft. /. Wheeler,
Thomas Grantham, Edwin Taylor and
ALBERT Garfield left Custer on Monday
morning with ample edible supple for
a two days outing, along with the neces-
sary camp eqnipage to warrant a fair de-
greeofpersonal comfort, intent upon max
ing a night camp upon Harvey Peak, the
monarch of the mountains ofthe roman
tic region in which it is so charmingly
located. Sylvan lake, with its superla-
tive scenic surroundings was reached in
one hour and a half, where our party
was joined by Mrs. r S. Lewis, Miss
Ora Feay, Mark Booth, William
B%roadhead and Robert Cockerel, who
were also supplied with everything
requisite to make the night camp upon
the lofty adamantine crest of old Har
ney fairly comfortable. From the lake
we Travelled leisurely, p~ausing frequently
m na1a with Al and nIp,;.t;n,, 1900,
The native scenery, remarkable for its
grand and romantic character, reaching
the highest pinnacle of the peak in two
hours time from the lake, a distance of
less than four miles. A most desirable
and inviting camping place was found
within fifty feet Of the summit, where
water and wood in abundance was neal
at hand. After partaking of a most ex-
cellent and highly enjoyable supper, we
watched and waited with much anxiety
for the grand sunset scene from our lofty
location, the sublimity and grandeur of
which beggars human description,
which must be seen to be fully appreci-
ated. When night had spread her dark
mantle over the bewitching scene, we
made a large bonfire upon the very
crown Of the old monarch, and thus
Illuminated the surrounding, which was
distinctly seen from Custer and other
more distant points.
The view from Harvey is by far the fin
est, and most expansive to be found any
where in the Black Hills region, and viii!
amply repay any one for the time spent,
and trifing difficulties encountered in
visiting it. From its lofty summit, 5000
feet above tide, which is of comparative
easy access, Bare Butte, so miles north,
Custer Peak, 40 miles northwest. Bald
Mountain, so miles northwest, Rapid
Valley 80 miles east and Hermosa, %
miles east, maybe distinctly seen, while
with the aid ola good field glass, the
dark outline Of more remote points in
Nebraska. Wyoming and Montana are
dimly visible. Tourists visiting the
Hills will have missed the browning
scenic attraction of the region should
they fail to visit this stately monarch
which towers high above the surround.
ing mountains, standing a weird sentinel
ove the charming medley Of adaman.
tive cliffs, grand canyons, luxurian,
valleys and wooded dells by which it il
so delightfully."- environed.
The distance from Custer, the mos,
favorable starting point, is less than ten
miles, and the round trip may be easily
accomplished, If desired in one day
Our party returned on Tuesday evening
more than pleased with the trip with a
well settled intention Of dupIicating the
same before the "leaves begin to turn"