Black Elk Peak, Summit in Black Hills, South Dakota, US
Black Elk Peak is a summit in the Black Hills of South Dakota in the United States, rising to 2,208 meters above sea level. The mountain marks the highest point across a wide region stretching from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast.
The Lakota Sioux used this mountain for spiritual ceremonies long before European settlers arrived in the region. The official name was changed in 2016 to honor Black Elk after the former name had been considered problematic for decades.
The summit takes its name from a Lakota medicine man who held ritual ceremonies here, and his spiritual legacy remains felt by many visitors today. Hikers come for the views but also to experience a place that has been sacred to indigenous communities for centuries.
The trail starts at Sylvan Lake and leads about 7 miles through granite outcrops and pine woods to the top. Starting early helps avoid crowds on sunny summer days and often brings clearer views in the morning.
A stone fire lookout tower from 1938 still stands on top, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The structure is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and no longer serves its original purpose but remains a recognizable landmark.
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