Needles, Mountain range in Black Hills, South Dakota.
Needles is a formation of granite pillars in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where the metamorphic rock forms slender towers. The spires rise above densely wooded slopes and emerge in tight clusters from the surrounding forest.
The rock formation developed through weathering of granite that solidified deep beneath the surface around 1.7 billion years ago. The designation as a National Natural Landmark occurred in 1962 and secured protection for this geological feature.
The name refers to the needle-shaped granite towers that rise like natural spires above the forested valleys. Visitors today experience a place where the rock itself defines the landscape and where many climbers explore the steep walls.
Hiking trails wind between the rock pillars, with some passages narrow and rocky. Sturdy footwear helps during exploration, as the ground is often uneven and the paths between the formations can be steep.
Some rock towers are so narrow that they appear only a few yards wide relative to their height. Between individual spires lie narrow gaps through which hikers can squeeze.
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