Harney Peak, Rankin Ridge, Were We Worked

Starting at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park the hike to the top of Harney Peak is about 6 miles round trip.





View from the trail, granite formations in the Black Hills.











In the distance is Harney Peak. It looks like a rugged hike but the trail is at the worst moderate.





This is however the highest point in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains at 7242 feet.











Eileen and Bella poss to catch there breath and enjoy the view.


















Through out the hike the scenery is beautiful.

This chunk of granite is called Little Devils Tower. At 6926 feet above sea level it is a pillar of its community, located in Custer State Park.








At the top of Harney Peak is an abandoned fire lookout tower. The rock structure pictured here is a the newest tower, replacing a number of wooden structures that burned during forest fires.



















Eileen and Bella at the bottom of a series of stairs that lead to the tower.


















Bear and I are almost there.














Bear is conversing with one of the locals.











He nervously chattered a lot, might of had something to do with Bears size.
















Cathedral Spires in the distance














Little Devils Tower from Harney Peak.













Just south of Custer State Park is Wind Cave National Park, this is the Rankin Ridge Fire Tower. The tower is no longer in operation or accessible by the public. The trail is a one mile loop, but would you know it, they always but a fire look out at the top of a hill.













Once at the top of the hill it's on of those, "you can see forever kind places."











This is Desperado's were I worked as a lunch cook.













This is Mountain Treats were Eileen worked selling Ice Cream and Fudge. That is when she was not across the street selling Hot Dogs.