My first time hiking to Little Devils Tower was by accident. I was 18 years old and on a hike with my family to Black Elk Peak. I had hiked to Black Elk Peak 10 years prior and since no one else in my family had ever done it I was in the lead. As we made our way up the trail I kept commenting on how I didn’t remember the hike being so difficult. Soon we were scrambling up crags and climbing through narrow rock passages. As we approached the summit we were shocked to see the fire tower on Black Elk Peak about a mile to the north. Although we didn’t make it to Black Elk Peak that day we were rewarded with some of the best panoramic views of the southern hills.
A spur trail off Trail #4, the Hiking Project rates Little Devils Tower as a difficult hike. The last section of this hike is a bit technical and requires some scrambling, I would rate it as moderate to difficult depending on your abilities. Make sure you pack plenty of water as there is very little tree coverage in this area and no good place to find water. We did this hike in early June and it was terribly hot with temperates well into the 90s.
We began this hike from the Sylvan Lake parking lot making it a 4 mile out and back. The trailhead for Trail #4 is located in the southeast corner of the Sylvan Lake parking lot. The first half mile gradually climbs up to the Little Devils Tower parking lot and picks back up in the northeast corner of the lot. The trail continues northeast as it passes through an area that was heavily effected by the mountain pine beetle. In 2009-10 over 18,000 ponderosa pine trees were processed from this area in an effort to reduce the beetle population and maintain the pine tree component. The grade becomes quite steeper around the 1 mile mark as it begins to climb up to the Little Devils Tower spur trail.
At the 1.5 mile mark the Little Devils spur trail splits off from Trail #4 heading northwest. The trail is well worn and offers a great view of Cathedral Spires to the east. Around the 1.75 mile mark the trail begins to ascend up and through the granite rocks; keep your eyes peeled for the blue spray painted arrows marking the trail. Upon reaching the summit you will have incredible views of Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak, and the backside of Mount Rushmore.
Once you are back on Trail #4 you have the option to head back the way you came or you can continue northeast on Trail #4 towards Cathedral Spires and Black Elk Peak. If you make the ascent to Black Elk Peak I would suggest making a loop by descending on Trail #9S.
Romping Tramps 