Devil tower. Western Territory Mysteries

) . Its height is 386 m, which is comparable to the height of the Empire State Building (381 m without a spire). A rock was formed about 65 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity, and its unusual figured sides were the result of erosion of the surrounding soft rocks around the more durable internal ones. But, of course, there are other versions of its origin.

On the tongue Lakota tribe the monument is called Mato Tipila, What means Bear's House or Bear's Lair. It got its current name by mistake. In 1875, during an expedition led by Colonel Richard Dodge, the translator mistranslated the words of the Indians. As a result, the monument was first called the House of the Bad God, and later - Devil's Tower. In 2005, several Indian tribes proposed to rename the monolith to Bear Lodge but their offer was rejected.

One of the Indian legends tells of seven girls playing in the forest when they were attacked by a giant bear. The children tried to run away, but the bear did not lag behind. In desperation, they climbed onto a low rock and prayed for the salvation of the Great Spirit. The spirit heard them, and the stone began to gradually grow, lifting the girls higher and higher above the angry beast. In a rage, he tried to climb a rock, but he did not succeed, and traces of his claws remained on the rock. The mountain continued to grow until the girls were able to go to the sky, where they turned into the stars of the Pleiades. One of the Indian names of the mountain is connected with this myth - Mato Tipila (Bear's lair).

Rock not only does it have an unusual shape, it is also located on a plateau, standing out sharply against the background of the surrounding landscape and having nothing similar nearby. Therefore, it is not surprising that this geological phenomenon has become a sacred place among the natives, and remains so to this day, in connection with which the litigation between the local authorities and the Indians, who are trying to limit the access of tourists to the sacred mountain, does not subside.

In the 20th century, mystical theories of the origin of the rock were replaced by sci-fi ones. So, according to one version, the top of the Devils Tower is a platform for UFO landings. And there were reasons for this, since strange light phenomena were repeatedly noticed on the top of the cliff, and unidentified flying objects in its vicinity. This version was so popular that it was even embodied in Steven Spielberg's famous film Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Today, the Tower is very popular with climbers and rock climbers. And interest continues to grow. A considerable number of routes have already been laid to the top of the Tower. In terms of its structure, the relief of the rock is very unusual, and therefore, the climbing technique also requires additional skills. For example, the ability to move across the terrain in a thrust and slot climbing.

(Devils Tower National Monument) is an unusual natural formation in the US state of Wyoming, which was formed by solidified lava and looks like a table mountain. It rises almost 400 meters above the beautiful plain, which received the status of a National Monument (in our opinion it is called a reserve) and is sacred mountain for many . The Devil's Tower is interesting primarily for its unusual shape and is a unique geological formation. And although it is located in a sparsely populated area in the north central part of the United States, we wanted to see it so much that we went there by car, making no small detour in our route through the United States.

Getting to the Devil's Tower was not so easy for us, but it was definitely worth it to drive several thousand miles from where we started our trip. After all, what is the Devil's Tower? She is a real miracle of nature, as in Arizona. Compared to the world-famous Yellowstone Park and its smaller counterpart Grand Teton, the Devil's Tower also claims to be the main attraction, which is definitely worth seeing not only with your own eyes, but also, perhaps, conquering as a climber.

(or Devils Tower, English Devils Tower) is the very first National Monument in the United States and, perhaps, the most memorable. This volcanic mountain is real natural wonder- a huge block of volcanic origin directed towards the stars. By the way, we also know it under its English name - Devils Tower, which is official and commonly used.

Unfortunately, this interesting Wyoming attraction is located at a sufficient distance from the traditional tourist routes across the US, in the midst of countless fields. However, about 400 thousand people visit it every year. To be more precise, the Devil's Tower is located in the northeast of Wyoming, not far from the cities of Gillette ( Gillette) and Morcraft ( Moorcraft). As you probably already understood, you will have to go very far, but it will be incredibly interesting!

Basic information:

Besides the fact that the Devil's Tower is a unique monument of nature, it is also the oldest national monument in the United States. But it is also very deprived of the attention of Russian-speaking tourists, because few people dare to go to the Devil's Tower through several states just to admire it.

An amazing coincidence, but the same can be said about another national monument in Idaho, which was among the very first to be discovered. This is about . What the two American beauties have in common is that both sights are of volcanic origin. But if lunar craters show us living history volcanoes, which, in principle, are many on Earth, then the Devils Tower is the only work of nature of this kind.

Devil's Tower on the USA map

Now we will tell you how to get to the Devil's Tower. This can only be done by car. If you're traveling in the US, then it's pretty easy. You need to go on the highway number 24 of the state of Wyoming (see the map below). There is only one single entrance to the Devils Tower from the road, so you definitely won't miss it. There are many signs on the highway informing you of the approach to the first US national monument. Keep in mind that it is open for visits all year around the clock, with the exception of two public holidays- Christmas and New Years.

Road map to Devil's Tower

Photo of Devil's Tower from the road

We continue our journey around the USA by car, and now we are approaching the Devil's Tower. And you can see it from afar! Everyone stops at observation deck and take some photos. We also stopped.

Scholars disagree about Origin Devils Tower in the state of Wyoming. There is also debate about its age, but in general it is believed that it is at least 50 million years old. lower mountain, which formed first, is not visible to the human eye. And there are disputes about the reasons for its occurrence.

The only thing that can be definitely stated is that we see two parts of the Devils Tower:

1. A high stone pedestal of a shapeless appearance;
2. A formation directed upwards to the sky, standing on this pedestal, which is famous all over the world.

There is also no agreement on how the pillars that make up the Devil's Tower were formed. One version: when magma seethed in the bowels of the Earth, it forced the rock to come out. And at first it looked like an eruption, the traces of which we see around and this can be judged by the shape of the second, middle part. And then, for some reason, the breed went up.

The tension accompanying the new state of the rock created voids, and then they led to a split within the rock. I don't know if this theory is true or not, but there is no other. And the amazing mountain stands. Why did she go upstairs?

Indian legends about Devil's Tower

The legends of the Indians about the Devil's Tower say that once seven sisters were walking in the local forest and did not notice the bear. And when they saw it, they began to pray to a small mountain to save them. The mountain heard the call and answered. The girls rose to great heights. The bear, of course, tried to get them: this is how the stripes appeared on the surface of the mountain. However, the girls could no longer go down to their relatives, because the mountain turned out to be very high! And then they were taken to heaven, and they became stars, the constellation Pleiades. And today we look at this Devil's Tower that grew out of the earth and do not understand how it was formed.

The legend of the Indians about the Devil's Tower in the picture: a bear climbs a mountain

There are many legends about the Pleiades, almost every nation. And the Indians too. So the legendary version tells the same thing as the scientists. The mountain rose from the ground. Are the Pleiades and the local Indians connected? Usually yes. Each tribe has its own tales and stories about the main stars.

And the Indians do not like the English name Devils Tower ( devil's tower) of this area, which is associated with the mountain. For them, this is the Bear's Place. And still on the Solstice, many different tribes come to the mountain and conduct their rituals and pray.

Camping at Devil's Tower and Spielberg's film

Steven Spielberg filmed Close Encounters of the Third Kind at Devil's Tower. And he was very close to the legends of the Indians, but he interpreted them differently. He told a story not about how someone is taken to heaven, but about how someone flies from there. Possibly returning. After all, the tales of many tribes speak of this.

Here's what Artistic Director Joe Alves has to say about Devil's Tower and the film today:

At the campsite, where we settled right at the foot of the Tower, every evening, at dusk, a Spielberg film is shown to acquaint visitors even more closely with the history of this unusual US National Monument. Before watching the movie, we pitched a tent, hiked two tracks around the Devil's Tower, washed our clothes in the laundromat, and cooked ourselves dinner on a gas burner.

We stayed overnight at the KOA campsite near Devil's Tower.

Let's quickly go for a walk to the Devil's Tower itself!

Visit Devil's Tower in Wyoming

To look at the Devils Tower from all sides, you need to come along the only road to the visitor center. Several trails start from there. One of them leads around the Devil's Tower, and allows you to get acquainted in detail with this extraordinary natural creation. Other trails allow you to get an impression of the surrounding area and admire the mountain from afar.

• First trail - tower trail 2 km long, goes around the mountain itself;
• Second trail - Red bed trail longer - about 5 km, and it offers wonderful views of the valley.

Mount Devil's Tower rises to 1552 meters above sea level (but only 386 meters above ground level), and you can walk around it and explore it in more detail. To do this, it is proposed to go for a walk on one of the two trails. We both passed hiking trails and marvel at the local beauty.

You can also climb the Tower, of course, if you are an experienced climber. After all, some of them come here from all over the world for this very reason.

Map of hiking trails for trekking around the Devil's Tower

Track map at Devil's Tower National Monument (clickable!)

For more information about the Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming, you can see the official website of the monument. There you can also see what opportunities are available to visitors, find out the latest news, create an itinerary for your visit and plan a visit, including booking a campsite.

First trail – Tower trail

The tower trail goes around a high volcanic mountain. It seemed that it was not so wide, but we walked for quite a long time, admiring the views around, nature and how the Devil's Tower changes depending on the lighting and viewing angle.

Do not forget that the territory of the National Monument is a sacred place for the Indians.

Coniferous trees predominate here

And also looked at the stones in the autumn meadow

People, wow! Climbers climb Devil's Tower

After watching the autumn nature in Wyoming, we went to the exit

Second trail — Red beds trail (photo of part of the trail)

This route takes you away from Devil's Tower itself, allowing you to experience the beauty of Wyoming and other evidence of volcanic activity, like rock mushrooms or the red formation from which the trail gets its name. The same formations surround the campsite, so we, seeing that the day was drawing to a close, decided to round off and return back.

And especially beautiful during the walk seemed to us the views of the river valley, spread out under the mountain.

There he is, in the distance, like a huge mushroom on a thin stem.

But most importantly, it offers a stunning view of the river.

And the ground around is really red. It is from these red formations that the trail gets its name.

We were very surprised by this rock, on which pines grow, and swallows live in it

stunning views

Autumn is gradually coming into its own

Our impressions: We liked Devil's Tower National Monument so much that we didn't want to leave. We definitely recommend visiting this amazing place to anyone who has the opportunity while traveling in the United States. We could have gone on a couple more trails and spent time at a comfortable campsite, but we had to hurry. After all, other sights of Wyoming were waiting for us ahead.

What else to see in Wyoming besides the Devils Tower

In addition to the Devils Tower, that is, the Devil's Tower, there are many more in Wyoming interesting places, which are worth a visit and which glorified this state all over the world:

• The state itself is very beautiful, we wrote a detailed article about it, which we did on the road;
• And of course the most famous park state is;
• And it is impossible not to mention his picturesque neighbor.

We wish you interesting trips across the USA!

Devil's Tower National Monument is one of the main attractions of Wyoming in the USA. The monolithic basalt mountain 386 meters high seems to be composed of hundreds of five-sided stone columns. V good weather The rock can be seen for several tens of kilometers. It was formed 200 million years ago and is a neck - a melt frozen in the mouth of an ancient volcano. And the base of the tower, according to scientists, appeared as a result of erosion.

Your name natural monument received due to a linguistic error. In 1875, during the expedition of Colonel Richard Dodge, the translator misinterpreted the words of the Indians who lived in this territory. Instead of the House of the Bear, the mountain became known as the House of the Bad God, and then - the Devil's Tower.

Devil's Tower is the first national monument in the United States. Such a status of a natural monument received in 1906 by decree of Theodore Roosevelt. According to the pole reversal theory, the Devil's Tower was once the Earth's geographic pole.

Devil's Tower - the former geographic pole of the Earth // fstockfoto

Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming in the USA // Nagel Photography

Devil's Tower - the first national monument in the United States // mikenorton

Devil's Tower Reflection // Tom Grundy

Parking at Devil's Tower is $10 per vehicle for up to seven days. This amount includes tourist fees for each passenger. Motorcycle parking will cost $5. If you got to the reserve by taxi, the tourist tax is paid additionally - in the amount of $ 5 for each tourist.

Around Devil's Tower there are several hiking trails. The longest one is almost three kilometers long, and the shortest one is a little more than a kilometer. Near the mountain there is a picnic area and a tourist office where you can get all the necessary information about the place, have a snack, buy souvenirs, and, if you wish, hire a guide. The center is open from 8:00 to 19:00.

Every year in June, the leadership of the national monument asks climbers and tourists to voluntarily refrain from climbing the mountain. The first month of summer is considered sacred by local Indians: climbing the tower during this period they perceive as disrespectful to their culture. The rest of the time the mountain is available for rock climbers.

The nearest campsite is "Bel Forch Campground" located 4 kilometers south of Devil's Tower. It operates only during the summer season, from May to September. The cost of accommodation is $ 12 per day per car. There are 50 seats in total.

More detailed information not only about the Devil's Tower, but also about other natural attractions of Wyoming can be found on the official website of the Service. national parks USA.

How to get there

The nearest cities to Devil's Tower are Hewlett (14 kilometers northeast of the reserve), Sundance (43 kilometers southeast) and Morecroft (53 kilometers southwest). You can get on the highways WY24 and US-14 respectively. public transport not in this part of Wyoming; You can only get there by rented car or taxi.

Detailed maps of the area around Devil's Tower can be downloaded from the official website of the US National Park Service: www.nps.gov/deto/planyourvisit/maps.htm.

Location

Devil's Tower National Monument is located in the Great Plains, in Krug County, in the northeast,. Exact coordinates: 44º 35" 23.95" N, 104º 41" 47.88" W.

Devils Tower is a columnar rock resembling a tower consisting of individual stone pillars folded in a bundle, located in Wyoming. This mountain of unusually regular shape, which arose 200 million years ago, for a long time gave the impression of an artificial structure, but not of human, but of diabolical origin. It is worth noting that the rock is 2.5 times larger than the pyramid of Cheops.

The mountain has long served as an object of reverent worship and a source of fear among the local population, while it was argued that strange mysterious light phenomena were repeatedly observed at the very top.

The Indians say that once seven beautiful girls climbed to the flat top of the mountain, fleeing from a huge terrible bear. The beast, desperate to catch the girls, left deep claw marks on the slopes, trying to climb up. When the bear finally managed to reach the top, the girls jumped onto a small rock and escaped the fate of being killed in the claws of the monster, soaring into the sky.

According to another myth, the Devil's Tower got its mystical name from an evil demon that beat a drum at the top, generating thunder. Be that as it may, but the rock is really striking in its size and bizarre shape. This is the most high point at a distance of many kilometers around, on clear days it can be seen for 160 km.

This peak was conquered only twice: a local resident in the 19th century and rock climber Jack Durrans in 1938. An airplane cannot land on the top, and helicopters are literally blown off a small platform. Experienced skydiver George Hopkins hoped to become the third conqueror of the summit.

The landing was successful, however, all the special ropes that were dropped from airplanes fell into disrepair from hitting the rocks. The skydiver became a prisoner of the rock. The news of this spread throughout America. Soon dozens of planes were circling in the air, dropping free food and equipment on Hopkins. But most of them didn't make it.

It turned out that the impregnable smooth granite rock was inhabited by rats, which every night became more and more arrogant. A specially created Hopkins rescue committee called in experienced climber Ernst Field and his partner. But the climbers after 3 hours of climbing were forced to return. Field admitted: “We are too tough for this damn block! Professionals conquer peaks over 8 km high, but are powerless in front of a height of 390 meters!

The Committee began to search through the press for D. Durrans. Two days later, he arrived and began preparing for the ascent along a route known to him. Climbers, led by Durrans, reached the top and lowered the exhausted parachutist down. In total, Hopkins was a prisoner of the Tower for about a week.

Photo - Devil's Tower

Video - the riddle of the Devil's Tower

Or Devils Tower- a rock of volcanic origin. It is located in the northwestern United States, in the state of Wyoming, not far from the Yellowstone National Park.

The height of the monolith reaches 1558 meters above sea level. Mysterious Appearance Devil's towers resembles a giant stump or fortress tower, spread out in the middle of the American prairies.

Indian legends

The indigenous inhabitants of these places - the Indians believed that an evil deity lives on the top of the mountain, which instills fear in people. Sometimes it dances and beats its drum, from the sounds of which thunder peals are formed, turning into thunderstorms. Only realizing that lightning strikes can destroy him, the demon stops the magical dances. Some Indians claimed that sometimes strange glows are seen on the top of the mountain.

Having heard such a legend from the Indians, the European settlers called the mountain the Devil's Tower. Lightning during a thunderstorm really hits her, since she is the only hill among the plains and therefore serves as a lightning rod.

Another Indian belief told about seven girls walking in the forest, and who were attacked by angry bears. Fleeing, the girls saw a small stone and climbed on it. The bears approached them and then the girls said prayers of salvation to the Great Spirit. Suddenly, the stone began to grow high up. The bears tried to get the girls, but they did not succeed. Only from their clawed paws on the newly formed rock were bear footprints. The rescued girls never returned to earth. They turned into stars and remained in heaven.

Mountain origin

The Devil's Tower was formed 50 million years ago. At that time, the sea splashed on the territory of the Great Plains. Its bottom was covered with a layer of sediment. Through the seabed, magma began to move to the surface, but before reaching it, it froze. This process took place just in the place where the Devil's Tower is now located. Millions of years later, the sea receded and a cone-shaped basalt rock remained on the exposed seabed. Basalt during cooling turned into mighty vertical columns. As a result of erosion, they began to separate from the top of the cliff and fall down. As a result, a hill formed at the base of the rock. By analogy, you can compare it with a pedestal, and the mountain itself with a monument.

Devil's Tower Conquest

The unusual appearance of the basalt creation of nature attracted climbers who dreamed of conquering its summit. The basalt rock has sheer walls, so it is not so easy to do this. The first climber was local resident, whose name is not known. It also remains a mystery how he managed to do this without any equipment. The next conquest of the sinister mountain occurred in 1938 by professional climber Jack Durrans. After him, no one climbed the Devil's Tower for a long time. The new daredevil was the skydiver George Hopkins, who decided to conquer the mountain from the air, landing there on his parachute. But he couldn't get off the top. With the help of a helicopter, food and medicine were delivered to the summit, but the same helicopter or airship would land, or simply lower the rope due to strong winds, but it was not possible. As a result, the same Jack Durrans became the savior for the unfortunate skydiver. He organized a rescue operation, climbing the mountain in the same way, subduing it at the same time the second time. The parachutist was lowered down with the help of a cradle. He said that on the top of the mountain there are many rats that attacked him and grabbed food. How they could get there and what they ate there remains a mystery ....