While we're in the neighborhood

If the four Presidents sculpted on Mt. Rushmore could turn their heads 180 degrees and peer 80 miles to the west, they would see a mammoth, 5,112-foot-high crystalline sentinel penetrating the sky. Devils Tower,  is one of five geo-sites in Wyoming and the only one located in the eastern part of the state. Since we are in the neighborhood, kind of, we thought we would show Mr. Spock this most recognizable feature of the northern Great Plains.

On the 2-hour drive we passed some other interesting formations, but...

they paled in comparison with Devils Tower.

Mr. Spock was able to get a good look.

He agrees with Albert Dickas (101 Geo-Sites you've gotta see) that the tower was formed about 50 million years ago when molten magma was forced into sedimentary rocks above it and cooled underground. 

As it cooled it contracted and fractured into columns. Over millions of years, erosion of the sedimentary rock exposed Devils Tower. The Tower rises 867 feet from its base and stands 1,267 feet above the river and 5,112 feet above sea level. The area of its teardrop-shaped top is 1.5 acres. The diameter of its base is 1,000 feet. 

There are two trails that circle the Tower - the Red Beds Trail is 2.8 miles, and the Tower Trail circles the base and is 1.3 miles long. We decided to hike both trails with lunch in between.

The view of the Tower is different from every stop along the trail.

Half-way along the trail we found out why it is called the Red Beds Trail.

Heading back to the Visitor Center.

Cute little mushroom rock on the side of the trail.

While we ate our lunch, sitting on a bench outside the Visitor Center, we watched a pair of climbers scaling the Tower. Can you see them? 

After lunch, beginning the inner Tower Trail. We could see Prayer cloths and bundles in the trees as we travelled around the Tower. 

Rockfall is the primary manner in which talus slopes are built. The field of debris that surrounds the bulbous base of Devils Tower is typical of talus slopes found at the base of steep rock outcrops throughout the Rocky Mountains. 

As we passed below the spot where we were viewing the climbers during lunch, we saw that they had descended to a spot at the base of the column that they had climbed. (They are in the middle of the picture.)

We enjoyed our visit to Devils Tower!