At 867 feet high, Devils Tower is impressive from the moment you can start seeing some detail in its structure. It is composed of symmetrical columns which are the tallest, some more than 600 feet, and widest, 10 to 20 feet, in the world. I gained an even deeper appreciation for this amazing natural wonder as I hiked 4 miles on a lollipop loop trail where I was able to view it from different distances and all around it.
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| Just Outside the National Monument |
The trail started at a sculpture which represents a puff of smoke from a ceremonial pipe used by Native Americans. The Tower is where White Buffalo Calf Woman delivered the first sacred pipe to the Lakota people.
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| Circle of Sacred Smoke |
I hadn't gone very far when I encountered a kind of creature (although not too closely nor of a third kind). Putting puns aside, a few prairie dogs called out the alarm as I approached which caused most of the others to head toward their burrows.
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| Prairie Dog |
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| Whispering Secrets |
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Largest Prairie Dog I Saw
(getting ready for winter?) |
From the valley floor, I climbed toward Devils Tower and the around it to the left.
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| On the Upward Climb |
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| Curved & Straight Columns |
On a smaller scale, the landscape divulged other rocks of interesting shapes.
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| Tree Perched atop a Yellow Rock |
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| Hoodoo Split Apart |
When I arrived at the base of the Tower, I made a complete circle around it.
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| It Towers Above |
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| Broad Side |
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Crack the Window
(pillars toppled forming a 300-foot alcove) |
I heard voices a couple of times which I assumed were fellow hikers. When I gained a clear view, I realized there were some rock climbers on the sides of the Tower.
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| On a Ledge |
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| Rappelling Down |
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