Steven Spielberg did not need to use special effects to inflate the size of Devils Tower in the film that made this National Monument famous: Close Encounters of the Third Kind. One best appreciates the significant size (not to mention geologic interest) of this eastern Wyoming icon by walking the undemanding 1.3 mile base trail surrounding the column. Particularly in contrast to the relatively flat landscape surrounding it, Devils Tower is big!
Many legends tell the story of how Devils Tower came into being. One of my favorites is that of the Kiowa Indians, as retold on the National Park Service website:
Before the Kiowa came south they were camped on a stream in the far north where there were a great many bears, many of them. One day, seven little girls were playing at a distance from the village and were chased by some bears. The girls ran toward the village and the bears were just about to catch them when the girls jumped on a low rock, about three feet high. One of the girls prayed to the rock, “Rock take pity on us, rock save us!” The rock heard them and began to grow upwards, pushing the girls higher and higher. When the bears jumped to reach the girls, they scratched the rock, broke their claws, and fell on the ground.
The rock rose higher and higher, the bears still jumped at the girls until they were pushed up into the sky, where they now are, seven little stars in a group (The Pleiades). In the winter, in the middle of the night, the seven stars are right over this high rock. When the people came to look, they found the bears’ claws, turned to stone, all around the base.No Kiowa living has ever seen this rock, but the old men have told about it – it is very far north where the Kiowa used to live. It is a single rock with scratched sides, the marks of the bears’ claws are there yet, rising straight up, very high. There is no other like it in the whole country, there are no trees on it, only grass on top. The Kiowa call this rock “Tso-aa”, a tree rock, possibly because it grew tall like a tree.
Told by I-See-Many-Camp-Fire-Places, Kiowa soldier at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 1897.
The Kiowa story and other stories passed on through the Plains Indians can be found by clicking on this link from the National Park Service website.
Devils Tower is a worthwhile stop, even if only for a short hike and stop at the visitor center as you road trip across Wyoming, or perhaps as a day trip while visiting the Black Hills in western South Dakota. If you have time for an overnight or evening visit, though, the sunsets and sunrises can be spectacular photo opportunities.
Ciao! ~ Kat
Travel. Garden. Eat. 
34 responses to “Weekly Photo Challenge: Big”
[…] of topics, and help inspire a little creative stretch from time to time! The challenges of Big, Renewal, and Everyday Life generated the most traffic that first […]
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I can see why this is your most viewed post. It’s massiveness is to wow for. Something that us, dreamers, are gonna want to see personally.
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It’s awesomeness cannot be fully conveyed by photos! ~ Kat
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[…] Weekly Photo Challenge: Big […]
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Devils Tower is going on my list of destination one day. Nice post!!
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Thank you, Deborah — Devils Tower is worth the visit some day! ~ Kat
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Great post. You make me want to to here!
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If you have not had a chance to visit Devils Tower, you will have to make your way there some day! ~ Kat
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Great choice!! 😉
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Thank you — Devils Tower seemed to naturally answer the challenge! ~ Kat
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Excellent choice! It brought back memories of traveling with my family at the age of 7 and being fascinated that the Devil had a tower and we were going to see it. 🙂
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I remember camping near Devils Tower as a child and being fascinated with it, as well! ~ Kat
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Awesome entry! thanks for sharing such a great picture and the beautiful tale that goes along!
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That Kiowa legend adds a special perspective to the monument. Thanks for taking time to comment ~ Kat
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Devils Tower, what stunning subject for the Big theme…brilliant photos and blog
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Carl, I appreciate your comment — thank you! ~ Kat
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Excellent having the people in the first photo to really give it some scale. The tower looks big in all the photos, but then you add the people and it looks genuinely giant!
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I was glad I had taken that first shot for some perspective — as you stand at the base and look up, it is such a different view than the clasic landscape photo from a distance. Thanks for stopping by ~ Kat
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Wow something I would love to see!
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Definitely worth a visit — I hope you are able to get there some day! ~ Kat
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Your photos are wonderful and thank you for posting the story also.
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Thank you for stopping by and taking time to comment! ~ Kat
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Great photos. I enjoyed reading the legend you included. I too included this National Monument as one of my photos in my “Big” Challenge. We had a great time visiting this past summer with the added bonus of seeing three people “climbing” half way up and propelling back down. Amazing!! I wish I had my husband’s photos. He had the right camera lens and was able to capture the moment…what looked like to me an impossible feat. I definitely agree with you. It is a worthwhile stop! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Your photo of Devils Tower really reveals those deep bear claw marks! You can just imagine the bear clawing repeatedly as the tower grew and the seven little girls huddled at the top in fear. I remember seeing some of those climbers, as well – like colored dots tucked in the nooks and crannies of the deeper grooves toward the top. It was amazing! Thanks for reminding me of that. ~ Kat
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Thank you Kat for your visit and checking out my photo. Your narration and description just adds to my enjoyment of the experience. You’re quite welcome for the reminder about the climbers. Fascinating! With your mention of the movie, I am going to look for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and watch it this weekend…Oh what fun and fond memories!!
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Fantastic post. Last weekend I watched “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” as soon as I seen your photo, I knew I had seen it before. Thanks for sharing a great “Big” post 😉
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It has been years since I saw that movie, and after I put this post together, I thought to myself, “I need to see it again!” Thank you ~ Kat
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I’ve been there!!! It’s really big! I love how they show “Close Encounters” in that outdoor movie area every single night.
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I didn’t know they had “Close Encounters” for nightly outdoor viewing — now that would be the perfect setting to see that movie again! ~ Kat
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It’s really strange lying in your tent and hearing that classic “Close Encounters” theme coming from the speakers. It really puts the whole place in perspective.
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it’s also in the movie PAUL – have you seen that one ?
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I have not! I will have to search that one out. ~ Kat
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absolutely breathtaking!!! 🙂
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Thank you — it is an amazing natural monument! ~ Kat
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