Devil's Tower
If its picture is on the Wyoming state license plate it must be worth a visit. Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming is a monolith that stands 1,267 feet into the sky. Geologists say that the site was formed by an intrusion of igneous rock in between softer sedimentary rock layers. Erosion from wind and water has peeled away these layers that used to surround this stronger igneous layer known as Devil's Tower. The monolith that exists now continues to erode, occasionally dropping chunks of rock to the floor below. Fortunately for climbers and visitors this national monument erodes at a much slower pace than its surrounding layers did. more info
If its picture is on the Wyoming state license plate it must be worth a
visit. Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming is a monolith that stands
1,267 feet into the sky. Geologists say that the site was formed by an intrusion
of igneous rock in between softer sedimentary rock layers. Erosion from wind and
water has peeled away these layers that used to surround this stronger igneous
layer known as Devil's Tower. The monolith that exists now continues to erode,
occasionally dropping chunks of rock to the floor below. Fortunately for
climbers and visitors this national monument erodes at a much slower pace than
its surrounding layers did.
Devil's Tower looks down over the Belle Fourche River which used to flood every
spring, covering riparian zones and vegetation and allowing trees like
cottonwoods the chance to regenerate. Unfortunately the river has not flooded
for quite some time, meaning that most trees in the area are very old because
they haven't been able to reproduce. But the river front and surrounding grass
lands are still very colorful with hundreds of different types of wildflowers.
Any time between March and September flowers are in bloom around Devil's Tower
National Monument. It is also a great stop for bird watching as rock doves,
northern flicker woodpeckers, and red crossbill finches are easy to spot. Also
keep a look out for black tailed prairie dogs who call this place home. Their
underground homes have 50 to 60 entrances each but only house one head male, a
few adult females, and their offspring.
Devil's Tower National Monument lures numerous climbers, hikers, and sightseers.
It was first climbed in 1937, taking the climber five hours to reach the top,
and continues to be climbed often. There are several guide services in the area
that assist visitors with reaching the top of the Tower. Climbers are asked not
to climb the monument during the month of June out of respect for Indians in the
area who consider it disrespectful.
The national monument is considered sacred to many Indian tribes. To them
Devil's Tower is known as Bear Lodge. Over 20 tribes come to the site to make
sweat lodges, go on vision quests, attend funerals, and perform sun dances. One
legend about Devil's Tower from the Crow Indians follows. When the tribe was
spending some time at Bear Lodge, now known as Devil's Tower, two young girls
left the camp to play. They encountered a large bear and quickly sought refuge
on top of a rock. The Great Spirit could see their fear and in response made the
rock grow higher and higher. The bear continued to pursue the two girls, clawing
on the sides of the rock to try to reach them but was eventually unsuccessful
and the girls were able to return home. This rock that the legend speaks of is
Devil's Tower and it is thought that the claw markings are still visible today
as long vertical scratches in the rock.
Devil's Tower was the nation's first national monument in 1906 and still a great
stop along your journey. If you are visiting the national monument, it is easily
accessible from I-90, which meets up with Hwy 14 and then Hwy 24 north. From
Cody, Wyoming, head east on Hwy 14 until it meets up with I-90. The visitor
center, as well as a campground, is just outside the entrance. The center is
open from April 9th to November 28th and closed in the winter but you can still
enter the national monument to cross-country ski, climb, and hike the seven
miles of trail that surround Devil's Tower.
Devil's Tower, WY Weather
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