Page 153 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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Devils Tower NATURAL WONDERS

vs Uluru

In the world of really big rocks, Devils Tower might not be the biggest (and neither is Uluru), but its
extraordinary, upreaching tree-stump profile consistently attracts and amazes admirers

wore away this material to reveal the geological field, where you’ll find mice, chipmunks, and snakes
NEED TO KNOW
marvel we see today – a flat-topped monolith made in abundance and fantastic views in every direction.
LOCATION Devils Tower lies in up of hexagonal columns that look like a cluster of Those who have no plans to dangle on a rope
Devils Tower National Monument $"/"%"
4FBUUMF
in Wyoming, 60 miles (100 km) giant pencils standing on end. The rock is sacred to from Devils Tower will find their own brand of fun
northeast of Gillette %&7*-4
508&3 /FX :PSL the area’s indigenous people, who believe its many just watching the rock in all its majestic, solitary
HEIGHT 867 ft (264 m) 4BO 'SBODJTDP
8BTIJOHUPO % $ rifts and channels to be the ancient claw marks of a glory, as it catches and reflects sunlight from
BASE CIRCUMFERENCE -PT "OHFMFT 6 4 " giant bear. Devils Tower might not be as large as infinite angles throughout the day. A walk along
1 mile (1.6 km)
Uluru, but it certainly vies with Australia’s fabled red the trail that circles the base of the tower offers
DAYTIME
TEMPERATURES .&9*$0 rock when it comes to spirit-stirring allure. hikers the opportunity to spot the deer, pronghorn
Jan: 21°F (-6°C); Apr: 41°F (5°C); Devils Tower is made up of hard volcanic rock antelopes, coyotes, and porcupines that inhabit
Jul: 68°F (20°C); Oct: 46°F (8°C)
called phonolite porphyry – a substance so dense the surrounding ponderosa pine forests and plains.
that it rings when even a small piece is struck. This At the base of the tower lies the rubble of the
Devils Tower, an imposing stack of rock that stands solidity, along with its countless cracks, makes stone columns that have fallen over time. Although
guard over Wyoming’s Black Hills, is one of nature’s the sheer rock face ideal for climbing. It was first geologists estimate that the last collapse occurred
finest sculptures. The soaring monument, formed scaled in 1893 by a rancher who used ladders hung around 10,000 years ago, the tower is still slowly
some 50–60 million years ago from magma that from pegs that were driven into the cracks. Today, being eroded and the sedimentary base carried
was forced up from beneath the earth’s surface, 4–5,000 people attempt the ascent every year, but bit by bit into the Belle Fourche River – a subtle
was originally concealed by a layer of sedimentary only about half make it to the summit – a deceptively reminder to visitors that even something as
sandstone and silt. Erosion over millions of years small plateau that is actually the size of a football timeless as Devils Tower is forever changing.

FORGET ULURU? PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Getting There and Around Lodge (www.devilstowerlodge.
THE BUILD-UP Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock)
From Gillette, where there is a com), which has four rooms
is Australia’s most recognizable natural feature. As regional airport with connecting and a hot tub. At just 700 yards
impressive as its 1,140-ft (348-m) height and 6-mile services to major airports, the (640 m) away from the tower,
(10-km) circumference are, it’s even more astounding best way to get to Devils Tower this is a great place to watch the
to think that most of its bulk lies underground. National Monument is to rent a moon rise over the rock or see
Uluru’s sandstone surface changes shade throughout car and take Highway I-90 east it bathed in light at sunrise.
the day, glowing a dazzling, fiery red at sunset. to Moorcroft. Devils Tower is only When to Go
30 miles (48 km) north of here.
Devils Tower National Monument
THE LETDOWN Although the great red rock is Where to Eat is open all year, but the visitor
still a popular tourist attraction, visited by around One of the best restaurants in
ABOVE A tour group at Uluru, Australia center is only open from mid-April
350,000 people every year, climbing Uluru is now Hulett, which is 9 miles (15 km) to November. Visitors are asked
officially discouraged. The local Anangu people have a spiritual connection to Uluru and ask visitors to respect to the north of Devils Tower, is not to climb the tower in June,
Ponderosa Café and Bar (www.
their beliefs and culture. While in 1990 about 74 percent of visitors followed the chain handhold to make the when tribal ceremonies take place.
theponderosacafe.com), known
hour-long climb to the summit, today only about 38 percent of people attempt the climb.
for its tasty steaks and prime rib. Budget per Day for Two
US$180 including park entrance
Where to Stay
GOING ANYWAY? If you still want to visit Uluru, then do so with a purpose other than climbing it. Photograph fee, accommodations, and food.
There are several places to stay in
the rock from a distance, visit the Cultural Centre to discover the richness of Anangu history, culture, language,
Hulett, but for a more atmospheric Website
and religion, walk around the rock’s enormous base or participate in a ranger-guided walk.
experience, head to Devils Tower www.nps.gov/deto

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