Devils Tower National Monument
Common questions about Devils Tower:
How tall is
Devils Tower? |
How big is the summit of the Tower? It's approximately 1 1/2 acres, about 200 ft. by 400 ft ... or about the size of a football field. The summit is slightly dome shaped and rocky, with native grasses, cactus, and sagebrush. Chipmunks, mice and pack rats and the occasional snake are found on top. |
How far is it around the Tower? The circumference of the base of the Tower is 1 mile. The Tower Trail is 1 3/10 mile. |
Why is it called Devils Tower? Some Indians called it Mateo Tep, meaning Bear Lodge. Other American Indian names include Bear’s Tipi, Home of the Bear, Tree Rock and Great Gray Horn. In 1875, on an expedition led by Col. Dodge, it is believed his interpreter misinterpreted the name to mean Bad God's Tower, later shortened to Devils Tower. Is it part of an old volcano? One scientific hypothesis states that Devils Tower is the neck of a small volcano. Another theory says that it is part of a laccolith. A third theory is that Devils Tower is a plutonic plug - an igneous intrusion that failed to reach the surface.
Is it hollow?
What kind of rock is it?
How large are each of the columns? How often do the columns fall? |
Why is climbing allowed on the Tower? Devils Tower boasts a rich and colorful climbing history that dates back to the late 1800s when it was first climbed by two local ranchers using a wooden ladder. Climbers from all over the world consider Devils Tower to be a unique and premier climbing area. Currently, about 4000 visiting climbers come to Devils Tower each year. The National Park Service considers rock climbing to be a legitimate recreational and historical activity at Devils Tower. How long does it take?
Has there ever been anyone killed?
Do climbers spend the night on the
tower?
Doesn’t climbing damage the rock?
What’s the fastest the Tower has been
climbed?
How do they get their ropes up there?
How do climbers get down?
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The information above comes from the following page on the National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/deto/faqs.htm Click here for a map of Devils Tower
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