Devils Tower Reopens To Climbers
From the archive: published Jul 17, 2013, 13 years ago. Details may have changed since.
Devils Tower has reopened to climbers after a temporary closure. The climbing routes were closed to protect nesting Prairie Falcons and guests.
Officials were concerned the climbers would disturb the nests. Prairie Falcons are sensitive to perceived danger to their eggs and chicks. They often become aggressive, attacking climbers who are near or above the nests. The stress can cause some falcons to simply abandon their eggs or chicks.
As reported by Rapid City Journal, the falcons are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They are further protected under the Devils Tower Climbing Management Plan.
The Prairie Falcons have left the tower and are done nesting for the season, prompting officials to reopen the trails.
Devils Tower is located in Crook County, Wyoming. The tower is actually a deposit of rock, within the Black Hills mountain range. Its unusual appearance has led to many legends and myths.
The sheer rock face rises to a summit of 5,112 feet above sea level, tempting climbers to scale the steep structure.
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt declared Devils Tower the very first National Monument of the United states.
As explained by USA Today, the tower’s origin is a topic of debate. Scientists have several different theories of how the structure was formed.
Some believe the igneous rock broke through sedimentary rock, rising through the surface. Others suggest that the tower is actually the interior shell of an extinct volcano.
Native Americans have their own legends about the rock. The two most popular legends include a bear trying to harm Sioux children. As the children tried to escape, the bear scratched the sides of the tower, causing the unusual grooves along the face.
The first recorded climb on Devils Tower was in 1893 by William Rogers and Willard Ripley. The tower now has 45 climbing routes.
Climbers are required to register with park officials before attempting to scale the tower. The tower is closed during Prairie Falcon nesting. Visitors are also asked to refrain from climbing during the month of June, out of respect for the Cheyenne, Lakota Sioux, and Kiowa tribes, who live in the area.
Devils Tower is now reopened to climbers. Information about the tower and climbing trains are available at the visitor’s center.