DEVIL'S TOWER, WYOMINGAfter miles of open range, Devil's Tower rises out of the earth to a height of 1267 feet above the
Belle Fourche River. Even after extensive studies, scientists are still debating the origin of Devil's Tower.
One of the most striking features of the Monument is its polygonal columns. Most of the columns are 5-sided although some are 4- or 6-sided. The largest columns measure 15-20 feet at their base and gradually taper upward to about 10 feet at their summit. There is a 1.3 mile trail around the base which made a pretty walk one afternoon.
About 1500 climbers will make it to the peak each year. The summit is about the same as the surrounding except you can see 5 states!.. The summit is actually domed and is covered with prairie grasses, big native sage, prickly pear cactus, current and gooseberry bushes, thanks to prairie falcons and vultures that drop seeds up there. A few rattlesnakes, pack rats, and red squirrels have also found their way up the rock.
Can you see the climber??
Near our campground is a prairie dog town where we spent part of a morning watching their antics.
The tower is sacred to the American Indians in the area. According to the Kiowa legend, seven sisters watched in horror as their brother was turned into a bear. The sisters run from him to the stump of a large tree, which beckons them to climb on. When they do, the stump rises up into the sky and the bear, unable to climb up the stump to reach the sisters, scores it with its claws. The sisters are then raised into the sky becoming the seven stars of the big Dipper.
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