新澳门开奖结果

Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming by Kevstan –

Top 10 Sensational Facts about the Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument, also called Grizzly Bear Lodge, was the first U.S. national monument, established in 1906 in northeastern Wyoming, near the Belle Fourche River. It encompasses 2.1 square miles (5.4 square km) and features a natural rock tower, the remnant of a volcanic intrusion now exposed by erosion. 

Devils Tower was the first United States national monument, established on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt. The monument’s boundary encloses an area of 1,347 acres (545 ha). 

The name Devil’s Tower originated in 1875 during an expedition led by Colonel Richard Irving Dodge when his interpreter reportedly misinterpreted a native name to mean “Bad God’s Tower”. All information signs in that area use the name “Devils Tower”, following a geographic naming standard whereby the apostrophe is omitted.

Here are the top 10 Sensational Facts about the Devils Tower National Monument

1. Devils Tower is sacred to many Native American Tribes

To the Northern Plains Indian Tribes, Devils Tower isn鈥檛 just a stunning landmark, it鈥檚 a sacred place. It appears in multiple oral histories and sacred narratives and is also known by multiple ancient names.

鈥嬧�婩or example, the Arapahoe call Devils Tower 鈥淏ear鈥檚 Tipi鈥�; the Kiowa refer to it as “Aloft on a Rock鈥� or “Tree Rock鈥�; and the Lakota people know it as “Bear Lodge,” “Bear Lodge Butte,” “Grizzly Bear’s Lodge,” “Mythic-owl Mountain,” “Grey Horn Butte,” and “Ghost Mountain.鈥� However, it鈥檚 commonly referred to as 鈥�Mateo Tepee,鈥� which is likely Sioux for 鈥淏ear Wigwam,鈥� or 鈥淏ear Lodge.鈥�

To this day, Devils Tower is frequently the site of ceremonial rituals, including sun dances, sweat lodges, and prayer and artifact offerings. 

2. Devils Tower is a famous rock-climbing attraction

Devils Tower Entrance Road by National Park Service inventory –

Devils Tower is popular among rock-climbing enthusiasts, who rely on its many parallel cracks to shimmy their way to the top. According to the National Park Service, Devils Tower sees between 5000 and 6000 rock climbers a year.

However, the site is closed to climbers each June, as Native American ceremonies are often held during and around the summer solstice. Additionally, some routes are closed each spring to protect nesting prairie or peregrine falcons.

3. Devils Tower is not a volcano

Some claim that Devils Tower is an old volcano, but geologists say it鈥檚 likely an igneous intrusion, meaning it formed underground from molten rock, or magma, that pushed up into sedimentary rock and became solid.

Over millions of years, the surrounding sedimentary rock eroded away to display the tall, grayish core within. Experts estimate that the formation of Devils Tower occurred about 50 million years ago, whereas the erosion took place between 5 and 10 million years ago.

4. Devils Tower was America鈥檚 very first National Monument

Devils Tower entrance by Chris Light –

Devils Tower was the very first official United States National Monument. It was proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt who famously loved the American West on September 24, 1906, shortly after he signed the Antiquities Act into law. 

Roosevelt made Dodge鈥檚 translation the tower鈥檚 official name, but along the way, the apostrophe in 鈥淒evil鈥檚 Tower鈥� was dropped due to a clerical error. The error was never corrected, and to this day, the tower is simply called 鈥淒evils Tower.鈥�

5. The name 鈥淒evils Tower鈥� is regarded as controversial

Devils Tower received its popular English name in 1875 when Colonel Richard Irving Dodge led geologist Walter P. Jenney鈥檚 scientific expedition through the Black Hills region. They were there to confirm claims of gold, first initiated by General George Armstrong Custer. 

But when they arrived at the rock formation, they were overwhelmed by its natural beauty. Dodge described the landmark as 鈥渙ne of the most remarkable peaks in this or any country.”

In recent years, Native tribes have petitioned to officially change the name of Devils Tower to Bear Lodge, as they find the current moniker offensive. Meanwhile, other locals argue that changing the formation’s name would cause confusion and harm regional tourism.

6. Devils Tower is Home to a variety of wildlife

Devils Tower National Monument by jtstewart –

In recent years, Native tribes have petitioned to officially change the name of Devils Tower to Bear Lodge, as they find the current moniker offensive. Meanwhile, other locals argue that changing the formation’s name would cause confusion and harm regional tourism.

As you explore Devils Tower, you鈥檒l have an opportunity for impressive wildlife viewing, with animals such as pronghorn, white-tailed, mule deer; bison; and bighorn sheep roaming the area. You can also see prairie dog towns and several types of birds, including bald eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, and waterfowl such as geese and ducks. It鈥檚 also a bird watcher’s delight!

7. Devils Tower has trails available for all types of hikers

Nature enthusiasts love Devils Tower National Monument, and there are trails available for all types of hikers. Some trails only take an hour, or you could spend up to a full day exploring the national monument.

The shortest trail, the Amphitheater Circuit, is a 1.5-mile loop covering the tower鈥檚 south side, including a steep area to hike. The trail offers an excellent view of the prairie dog town.

Hiking aficionados often enjoy spending the day exploring two trails: the South Side to Red Beds Trail and the Red Beds to Joyner Ridge Trail. 

8. You Can Climb To The Top Of Devils Tower

Devils Tower National Monument by AaronBarlow –

Since the mid-1890s, Devils Tower has been one of the most popular rock-climbing spots in the country. The monument鈥檚 naturally created cracks range in size from a finger鈥檚 width to large enough for a human to stand in, and the largest crack extends about 400 feet.

Devils Tower鈥檚 climbing routes rank between intermediate and difficult, and the older routes are considered among the most challenging of all. Only a few of the routes are bolted, so climbers must use temporary anchors. Prior to beginning their ascent, climbers must get a permit from the National Park Service and follow its requirements.

9. Devils Tower was featured in a Hollywood Film

Hollywood came calling in the 1970s when Steven Spielberg filmed Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Devils Tower was the natural landscape star of the hit science fiction film. 

In the film, the characters find themselves creating drawings and sculptures of Devils Tower including mashed potatoes, and eventually travel to the national monument, where a giant alien ship hovers above the butte.

10. Devils Tower is not hollow

Devils Tower is composed of a rock called phonolite porphyry, which is like a less sparkly granite, as it contains no quartz. And while it may appear hollow at a distance, the striated monument is actually solid. 

The tower probably formed when molten rock, pushing upward, encountered a hard rock layer and was forced to spread into a flat-topped shape. Its color is mainly light gray and buff. Lichens cover parts of the tower, and sage, moss, and grass grow on its top. Chipmunks and birds live on the summit, and a pine forest covers some of the surrounding countries.