Devil's Tower, Wyoming

We went to Belle Fourche from Spearfish Canyon to see the Geological Center of the Nation

- didn't take much time so we decided to drive the hour to Devil's Tower in Wyoming 

After about 45 minutes of lovely scenery the Tower comes into view 

Getting closer!

We find that the traffic jams are smaller here in Wyoming

We arrive! 

Do you see what he sees? 

More than 20 Native American tribes have cultural ties and legends about Devils Tower and many consider it to be a sacred place.

We walked the 1.3 mile paved loop around the Tower 

The name "Devils Tower" is fairly recent as the rock has been called Bear Lodge by the Lakotas and other names by other tribes.   Indian legends are very similar. In each story, children out playing encountered bears who chased them, wanting to do them harm. The Great Spirit saved them by raising the rock beneath them to a great height that the bears couldn’t climb. The bears tried to climb the steep sides of the rock, but just slid down the steep sides leaving their giant claw marks. . 

The small arrow points to some rock climbers 

Because it is considered a sacred place by many of Native American tribes, there is opposition to the Tower being used for climbing. The National Park Service compromised by closing the Tower to climbers during the month of June when many sacred ceremonies are conducted at Devils Tower

Actually the Tower was formed 50 million years ago when  molten magma was forced into sedimentary rocks above it and it cooled underground.  As it cooled it contracted and fractured in columns.  Erosion over millions of years exposed Devils Tower.  It rises 867 feet from its base 

Many brightly colored prayer bundles are seen hanging in the trees and bushes along the trail. 

Definitely worth the trip!

Till Later,

Meanwhile we keep on Trek'n

Melissa and Gary