If you’re a fan of movies you’ve probably seen Stephen Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, released in 1977. The real star of that film is a natural landmark known as Devils Tower. It’s the place where the film’s heroes are drawn for their close encounter with extraterrestrials. I’d not seen Devils Tower in person before watching the movie so when the chance to visit it while on a trip to the Black Hills arose, we took a half day’s diversion to see it.
Devils Tower is situated in northeastern Wyoming. It’s composed of volcanic (igneous) rock. As the lava core cooled it formed columns, usually hexagonal, which are a characteristic feature of the tower. The volcanic core is harder than sedimentary rock which surrounded it, and which withstands erosion better — over many years the softer rock was eroded away, leaving the Tower. Devils Tower stands about 867 feet from the top to its base, the summit at 5112 feet above sea level. Devils Tower was the country’s first National Monument, established by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1906.
Near Devils Tower is a visitor’s center worth stopping at. There’s a loop trail (Tower Trail) around the base of the monument which I’d highly recommend. The trail offers changing perspectives of the Tower, depending on which direction you study it from.
Devils Tower is an iconic challenge for rock climbers. Not my cup of tea, but I admire their guts and nerve.
