The Devil's Tower in northeastern Wyoming


To quote the National Park Service, "The Tower is an astounding geologic feature that protrudes out of the prairie surrounding the Black Hills. It is considered sacred by Northern Plains Indians and indigenous people. Hundreds of parallel cracks make it one of the finest crack climbing areas in North America." The website of Earth Trekkers offers the following explanation of how it formed: "50 million years ago, molten lava was forced into underground layers of sedimentary rock. As the magma cooled, it formed hexagonal columns of igneous rock. Over millions of years, the sedimentary rock eroded away, gradually revealing Devils Tower." It rises 867 feet above its base. You may recognize it from the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", which features Devils Tower as a landing site for aliens. There's a 1.3 mile trail around the base of the tower which is characterized as "easy". I quarrel with that, but the altitude and my asthma may be partly responsible for my personal "difficulty rating". Colorful bundles are found hanging from tree branches around the tower; these are prayer bundles left by Native Americans.


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20 comments:

  1. ViolettaNovember 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM

    This mountain looks really great. I think I will never be there.
    Have a good time
    Violetta

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  2. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiNovember 10, 2025 at 12:04 PM

    We visited this area once--the tower's Native American legend is so interesting. It was also used as a location in a famous sci-fi movie. Have a wonderful week, Sue!

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  3. Amypie71November 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM

    Fascinating history and scenery.

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  4. RostroseNovember 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM

    The Devil's Tower is definitely a striking landmark! I've seen it in photos before, but I don't remember it being in the movie; it's been a while since I saw it. I didn't know there was a hiking trail around it. Difficulty ratings are often not very helpful. We're quite experienced hikers and once went on a supposedly easy hike in Mallorca (we got this information from a friend's hiking guide – without any further details). It was a hot day, and we only had half a liter of drinking water each with us. The shade from the trees ended relatively quickly, and the path was quite steep. I thought I was going to die of thirst. As we dragged ourselves, thirsty for water, into a restaurant after our hike, the waiter told us we were crazy for hiking up there on such a hot day; that mountain shouldn't be underestimated. I really wonder who makes such assessments; in this case, it was downright dangerous.

    All the best, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/11/calle-libre-2025-streetart-in-wien.html

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  5. Billy Blue EyesNovember 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM

    Close encounters comes to mind here

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  6. Lillian "sognafaret"November 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM

    So amazing. Thanks for sharing

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  7. Sharon WagnerNovember 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM

    I've always wanted to see Devil's Tower. I kind of have a tower today as well.

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  8. kwarkitoNovember 10, 2025 at 4:12 PM

    toutes ces photos sont splendides, à la mesure du lieu qu'elles décrivent

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  9. CloudiaNovember 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM

    Thank You 🙏🏽

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  10. Jill HarrisonNovember 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM

    Thankyou for taking us to this place. Yes you have to be very mindful of our own abilities. I am surprised people are allowed to climb this, if it is considered sacred by the indigenous people. Have a fabulous week, and thankyou again for the linkup.

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  11. Lydia C. LeeNovember 10, 2025 at 11:21 PM

    Wow! That's so crazy looking - just jutting out on it's own like that. Fab pics!

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  12. rupam sarmaNovember 11, 2025 at 1:18 AM

    Truly amazing Devil's Tower, Great mountain views. Thanks for sharing.

    https://rupamsarma.blogspot.com/2025/11/morning-bliss.html

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  13. KlaraNovember 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM

    such a wonderful place.

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  14. DanielaNovember 11, 2025 at 5:08 AM

    Thank you for hosting and for sharing such breathtaking images!
    XO Daniela @ ~ My little old world ~

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  15. Melynda@Scratch Made Food!November 11, 2025 at 9:36 AM

    Wyoming has some rugged terrain and interesting rock formations. We lived their briefly prior to moving to Texas. But the first time I saw the tower was on a trip to Michigan. Thanks for the link-up, have a great week ahead.

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  16. Keith's RamblingsNovember 11, 2025 at 9:43 AM

    It looks almost surreal! Great pictures.

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  17. LindaNovember 11, 2025 at 8:44 PM

    Wow, very dramatic formation!

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  18. meowmeowmansNovember 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM

    I've only ever seen it in photos -- and in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." That's so neat that you got to see it IRL, Sue!

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  19. SuzanaNovember 12, 2025 at 2:07 AM

    What a strange area. I am curious if you felt something special around.
    Thank you for sharing these beautiful series.
    Happy WW and a fine week!❤️😘

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  20. Memories of Eric and FlynnNovember 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM

    It looks amazing with lovely photos of the beautiful scenery.
    https://allatseawithme.blogspot.com/2025/11/wordless-wednesday.html

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