Travel Secrets by V

One of the most remarkable peaks in this or any country, Devils Tower looks like an enormous petrified tree stump. At 1267 ft high with the base a mile wide, it’s an impressive site to see. What makes it even more dramatic is that the surrounding area is relatively flat so the tower looks bigger than it actually is.

Sadly it’s not a petrified tree stump or a volcano. Geologists claim it is an igneous intrusion, also known as a laccolith. Basically, it formed from molten rock underground which got pushed up into sedimentary rock. As it did, it solidified into a hard core surrounded by sedimentary rock. Most laccolith never reach the surface. Instead, they cause a bulge in the ground. In this situation, the sedimentary rock did erode away exposing the core which we refer to as Devils tower.

First official United States National Monument

Even though early explorers would have come through this region, strangely there is no record to Devils Tower until the US Geological survey mentioned it in 1875. It wasn’t long before it caught the attention of nature lover Theodore Roosevelt. In June 1906, he turned Devils tower into the first official United States National Monument. You may even recognize this location from the 1977 movie, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.

Sacred to American tribes

Since this are is sacred for twelve different American tribes, it’s very important to respect their traditions. Please stay on the trails and do not vandalize. Originally, the Indians called this area “The Bad God’s Tower” which was translated into Devils Tower. However, the tower’s name is a source of controversy for many. Nearly all America tribe names for towers are associated with a bear. As a matter of fact, in the Lakota language, the word for black bear is wahanksica whereas bad god is wakansica. With this in mind, it’s highly probable that the name wasn’t translated properly. Presently tribal organizations are trying to get the name changed to Bear Lodge.

First People to Climb Devils Tower

Willard Ripley & William Roger were two ranchers living near the tower. In 1890 they decided they were going to climb Devils tower. So they tried to fly a kite over the tower so that they could use it to pull a rope up there. After the plan failed they decided to build a simple stake ladder to reach the top. Three years later, the three hundred and fifty foot ladder was complete. In an attempt to make some money, the two ranchers organized a big 4th of july event at Devils tower. With food, dancing and the main attraction, them climbing to the top of Devils tower, the event was a huge success. Over eight hundred people showed up, coming from as far as South Dakota.

Over the years the celebration became a yearly event. Three years later, William Rogers wife Linnie Rogers, became the first woman to climb the Tower on July 4, 1895. Many people climbed that ladder. Eventually in 1972 the park had to close it down because it was becoming dangerous. So they removed the first one hundred and fifty feet of the stake ladder and restored the rest. Part of it is still visible today but it is best seem with binoculars.

First free climber

Then came free climbing, Fritz Wiessner, a German climber was the first to successfully climb Devils Tower. And he climbed it three times. Now a days, Devils Tower is a prized climbing location. Just make sure that you obtain a permit first.

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