Things to do in Wyoming
Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower National Monument is located in the Bear Lodge Mountains of northeastern Wyoming. The tower and the surrounding 1,153 acres was designated as the first national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906. Even before entering the park the tower is visible as it projects up from the relatively flat plains surrounding it. Devils Tower has inspired many people including explores, geologist, climbers, movie makers and Native Americans with its majestic presence.
There are three main geologic theories as to how Devils Tower was formed but all agree that the laccolithic butte was formed by intrusion of igneous material between other rock formations. Over time the tower was exposed by erosion of the surrounding sedimentary rock by wind and water. There are no other know formation like Devils Tower on the planet which adds to the overall significance of the tower and the surrounding area.
The plains area adjacent to the Belle Furche River is home to the parks’ Prairie Dog Town. The small light-brown rodents live in family groups called coterie. The coterie normally consists of one adult male multiple adult females and their offspring. They burrow into the ground creating an interconnecting network of tunnels over approximately an acre. Their primary food sources are grasses and flowering plants.
Many of the Native American tribes in the Great Plains and Black Hills regions view the tower as a secret place. The stories of how the tower came to be have been passed down throughout history. The area is still used for spiritual and traditional ceremonies. The evidence of which can be seen by the many colorful prayer cloths and prayer bundles attached to trees around the park.
It wasn’t until June 28, 1937 that Devils Tower was climbed using traditional climbing techniques. Fritz Wiessner, Lawrence Coveney and William House were the first three people to make the climb. Today, the park averages 5,000 people a year that climb the tower. Some extreme climbers have even done the climb without ropes. While we were there we saw a few climbers on the face of the tower. However, we contented ourselves with the walking path at the base of the tower. https://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm
Eagle Butte Coal Mine
Eagle Butte Coal Mine is located just north of Gillette, WY. This mine is currently operated by Alpha Natural Resources. The mine is an open pit, which means the coal is mined with trucks and shovels. In one year this mine produces 20 – 25 million tons of coal which is used primarily for domestic energy generation. The Eagle Butte Mine has received awards for its mining and reclamation efforts. We only went to the overlook to watch the massive trucks and shovels dig and transport the coal from the mine to the train loading operations. There are tours available that take you to the mine and explain the operations, we were unable to schedule a tour. https://www.visitgillettewright.com/business/eagle-butte-coal-mine-overlook/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Butte_Mine
Rockpile Museum Gillette, WY
Since 1974 the Rockpile Museums’ mission is to serve as the local history center for residents and visitors to Campbell County Wyoming. After seeing the collections housed there I would say they are doing a great job fulfilling their mission. The collection is well organized and truly gives you a sense of Campbell County as it developed from a homesteading railway town to the current day coal mining producer. There are many exhibits depicting life in the area such as print shops, medical equipment, saddle making, homesteading, coal mining and the general workings of the area. We could have spent even more time than we did touring the museums’ collection but we ran out of time. https://www.ccgov.net/317/Rockpile-Museum
