Description
What is this hiking medallion?
A stamped metal medallion for Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota and the Black Hills. The face is brushed silver-tone metal with no enamel or paint. It is designed in the style of a round survey benchmark disk. Hiking boot tread prints fill the center, “U.S. Geological Survey” and “Black Elk Wilderness” curve across the top, and “Black Elk Peak,” “7,244 feet,” and “Black Hills National Forest” run through the center and around the bottom.
Two small tabs stick out from the sides, each with a pre-drilled hole, so you can nail or screw the medallion onto a wooden hiking stick or staff.
Made by L.W. Bristol Classics, a family-owned manufacturer in Bristol, Tennessee that has produced custom souvenirs for parks, trails, and historic sites for decades.
About Black Elk Peak
Black Elk Peak is in the Black Hills of South Dakota, on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of Black Hills National Forest, inside the Black Elk Wilderness. It is the highest point in South Dakota and the Black Hills. The peak was known as Harney Peak for most of recorded history and was officially renamed Black Elk Peak by the USGS in 2016 to honor Oglala Lakota holy man Black Elk. The medallion is stamped 7,244 feet; the summit elevation is most often listed today as 7,242 feet.
Specifications
- Dimensions: approximately 1 3/4″ wide (die-cut shape with two side tabs)
- Weight: 0.1 oz
- Construction: stamped metal, brushed silver-tone finish, no enamel
- Attachment: two pre-drilled mounting holes, one in each side tab
- Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics (Bristol, TN)
How to attach it
Line the medallion up on your walking stick, mark through the two holes, and pre-drill small pilot holes so the wood does not split. Then fasten it with small nails or screws. The tabs sit flat against a round staff. You can also mount it to a flat surface like a display board or a slice of trail wood.
Who is this for?
If you have made the hike to the summit, this is a simple way to mark that you were there. Nail it to a hiking staff next to your Wind Cave or Jewel Cave medallion and you have the Black Hills covered. For peak-baggers, Black Elk Peak is the South Dakota high point and the highest point in South Dakota and the Black Hills, so it is an easy one to want on the stick.
Frequently asked questions
What does the design show?
Hiking boot tread prints in the center, ringed by “U.S. Geological Survey,” “Black Elk Wilderness,” “Black Elk Peak,” “7,244 feet,” and “Black Hills National Forest.” It is styled to look like a round survey benchmark disk. The whole piece is one tone of brushed metal, with no color or enamel.
Why does it say 7,244 feet?
That is the elevation stamped on the medallion. The summit is most often listed today as 7,242 feet. Either figure marks the highest point in South Dakota and the highest point in South Dakota and the Black Hills.
Is it painted or enameled?
No. It is plain stamped metal with a brushed silver-tone finish. The lettering and boot prints are recessed into the metal.
How big is it?
Approximately 1 3/4″ across, including the two side tabs. About the same size as other hiking medallions in the L.W. Bristol Classics line.
Does it come with everything I need to attach it?
It has two pre-drilled mounting holes, one in each side tab. Use small nails or screws to fasten it to a wooden staff, and pre-drill pilot holes first.
Is this the same peak as Harney Peak?
Yes. Black Elk Peak was officially renamed from Harney Peak by the USGS in 2016. Same summit, same location. Some older maps and trail signs still show the original name.
Is Black Elk Peak a national park?
No. It is on U.S. Forest Service land, part of Black Hills National Forest, within the Black Elk Wilderness (designated by Congress in 1980). BHPFA is the official cooperating association for the Black Hills National Forest alongside its NPS partner parks.
Can I get a Passport stamp at Black Elk Peak?
No. The Passport To Your National Parks program only includes NPS sites. Black Elk Peak is on USFS land and does not have a Passport cancellation stamp. If you have a Passport book, you can collect stamps at Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, all BHPFA partner sites with visitor centers.
Is there a matching pin?
Yes. BHPFA carries a Black Elk Peak pin with the same artwork in a smaller round format.
Does buying this support national parks?
Your purchase supports Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, and the Black Hills National Forest. Proceeds fund education programs, trail projects, and visitor services at these sites.
More BHPFA collectibles
- Black Elk Peak pin (same artwork, smaller round format)
- Browse all BHPFA collectibles
