Devils Tower

At sunset

Not sure what constitutes a National Monument, but Devils Tower is the nation's first.  It makes sense that it'd be called a Monument, unlike Grand Staircase-Escalante.

For whatever reason, Devils Tower used to be super high on my list of places to see.  Over the years, I didn't think too much of it.  It being replaced by the Cascades and sites outside the U.S. like Petra and Ankor Wat.  Since I planned my route through North Dakota, I knew I could not pass this up.

I woke up this morning in Belle Fourche, SD with about an hour drive to Devils Tower.  It poured all through the night, with thunder and lightning keeping myself from a deep sleep.  By morning it mostly stopped but there was a deep fog, "Oh well, I guess I won't be seeing Devil's Tower from a distance.

With the constant growling in my stomach, I stopped in a small, small town in Wyoming.  While chatting with a few of the guys, I was made aware there was a rodeo in town.  I thought that'd be cool to go to if it doesn't get canceled.  Fearing it might and not having the money, I moved on.  The fog started to clear ever so slowly.

Sunflowers along the way!!!

A few minutes of driving and there it was!!!  Though knowing it would come into view, it had to have been one of the most startling sights I've seen.  Coming from the north and east, I could see the bend.  It appeared skinnier than the images I've seen, but it appeared taller.  I must have pulled the car over a couple dozen times as I approached it.  I can't imagine what the pioneers thought of it.  The Indians, of course, felt it a sacred place.

As I neared the entrance to the National Monument, the views of the Tower were the images that I've held in my head all these years.  I rode up to the visitor center which is located right near the base.  It's a crazy sight.  There are pine trees and through those trees is this massive rock.  It's amazing how this thing formed.

After checking into the campground (no way was I passing up a night here), I headed out to the trails.  The threat of thunder and rain would never go away.  Early on in one of the hikes, I had to turn around and get my raingear.  This allowed for more time to check out the prairie dogs.  They are obviously not closely related to dogs, they are ground rodents.  Extremely social, living in their own communities, they are quite entertaining to watch.  The Prairie Dog Town near the road here seemed to be less afraid of humans than the few I saw at Teddy Roosevelt.  It's obvious that humans feed these characters.  I watched somebody try, before their friend stopped them.  The prairie dogs will get surprisingly close to people when they think some food is headed their way.

I swear these birds communicate with the prairie dogs warning each other of the human

A burrow

You got something for me?

I finally walked up to the visitor center from the campground.  There were great views of the Belle Fourche River Plains on the way up.  Of course there were some excellent views of Devils Tower along the way.  This trail is rarely used as I only saw one other person.  The popular trail in the park is the paved trail that goes around the Tower.

The view from my camping spot.  Not bad.

Nice perch

Belle Fourche River

The plains area surrounding Devils Tower

This trail attracts the crowds.  Without much elevation gain, its paved surface and short distance (1.5 miles) it's no wonder why it's so popular.  The views of the Tower are great, though the sun can make some of the views difficult.  I watched a pair of climbers making their way up.  It's the only way up.  If you cannot climb, maybe someone can parachute you in.

From the visitor center

Rock climber

Can you find the ladder?  I can't.

Some recent prescribed burns

Climbers making their way up

The first people to reach the summit used a ladder to get up the last 200 feet.  They have viewing platforms to look at one of the ladders that remains.  I did not see it, but it made sense that, that would be the area.  There is only one section of Devils Tower that appears a tough scramble can get you near the top.  The first full rock climb ascent was made by arguably the greatest mountaineer of all time, Fritz Weissner,in 1937.  For a time, he called the Hudson Valley his home!!!  He has many first ascents in the Shawangunks to his credit.  

Chris Hiker and Devils Tower at sunset

At sunset

Though it would be great to stand on the summit, my guess is that the best views are from the bottom and the surrounding region.  It's a gorgeous sight and rightly belongs on anyone's must see places.

Chris Hiker and Devils Tower in the early morning sun

The view from the south and east

Good bye Devils Tower