Devil's Tower

After our early morning wake up call (6am) we all had a relatively quick breakfast before breaking camp and leaving by 8am. Then we took a three and a half hour ride southwest to Devil's Tower in Wyoming.

Devil's Tower is a source of contention among geologists. This is due to the arguments about the formation and geologic origins of the structure. There are two widely accepted theories. The first, more widely accepted, states that the tower was created as a result of erosion around cooling magma that was once an ancient volcano's neck.  The second theory, accepted by the National Parks, states that the tower is the result of an igneous intrusion. Where the magma surrounded sediments and cooled protecting the inner core from erosion.

In addition to the geologic explanation, there is a Native American story which attempts to explain the features. In this story children were being chased by a bear and climbed on top of the rock and prayed for their lives. In response the rock rose into the air and the columns formed as the bear scratched the   rising platform.

Once we made a quick lunch we piled back into the van towards the Eagle Butte Mine. There we spoke with Dave Olson and Carol Herman about the geology and processes of the Alpha Coal West mining company.

Having taken a picture with Dave and Carol we headed southwest towards Buffalo, WY where we stayed at Deer Park Camping Ground for the night.

"The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see"-Gilbert K. Chesterton.