South Dakota Travel: Black Elk Peak
South Dakota Travel: Black Elk Peak
By Joseph Budd
Native Sun News Today Staff Writer
A nice change of pace, for folks from a major city or population center, comes out of the Black Hills. A nice oasis, located a short distance from both Pine Ridge and Rapid City, Black Elk Peak is the highest point in South Dakota, and the highest mountain east of the Rocky Mountains.
The peak was originally named for General William S Harney, who was a military commander in the region. Due to Harney’s actions in the Battle of Blue Water Creek in Nebraska, the name had been a point of contention for years, and efforts led to the Lakota working for 50 years to have it changed, spearheaded by Basil Brave Heart, a Korean War Veteran who felt that Harney had not honored the military with his action.
Finally in 2015, Some Lakota requested state officials to reinstate their original name, Hinhan Kaga for the peak, as well the Lakota Council of Pine Ridge and descendants of Black Elk, supported naming it for him, as the national wilderness around the peak already bears his name. The name change would finally occur, in August 11th, 2016, from the US Board on Geographic names, with a vote of 12-0, and 7 days later, then Governor Dennis Daugaard would accept the new name.
Being one of the highest peaks, its history would revolve around the fire tower that is located on its summit, originally designed in 1911, a stone structure would be built up in 1938, with workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps, during the Great Depression. There also is a dam that holds 5000 gallons of water, a pump house and a stairway leading up to the summit. The four features would all be added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The peak was originally called Hiŋháŋ Káǧa or “Owl maker”, in reference to the rock formations that look like owls. Black Elk, would receive a “Great Vision” on the site, at the age of nine years old, “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.”
For the tourists and hikers, it’s an easy 7 mile hike round trip from Sylvan Lake’s campgrounds to the summit, but the peak can also be reached by other directions, including from Mt Rushmore, Horse Thief Lake, Camp Remington, Highway 244 and Palmer Creek Road. However, Sylvan Lake sits within the Custer State Park area, so a pass would be needed.
A last note, be sure to get a proper weather report for the local area. Temps can vary from nearby Rapid City, where it might be 70 degrees, and the peak might be 40 degrees. Dress accordingly and bring water to stay hydrated.
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May 26, 2022