Devils Tower in Crook County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Many Meanings for Many People

Photographed By James Hulse, June 13, 2022

1. Many Meanings for Many People Marker

Inscription. The Tower boasts a rich and colorful climbing history. In 1893 two local ranchers first climbed the Tower using a wooden stake ladder (below). Forty-four years later, Fritz Wiessner made the first ascent using ropes and modern techniques.

The National Park Service considers climbing to be an acceptable recreational use and also recognizes the Tower as a sacred site to many American Indian peoples. Out of respect for traditional cultural practices, a voluntary climbing closure is in effect in June every year. Visitors are asked to refrain from climbing the Tower or scrambling in the boulders then.

Captions
Lower Left: William Rogers and Willard Ripley climb the Tower on July 4, 1893.
Upper Right: Many American Indian ceremonies occur in June near the summer solstice, a significant spiritual time. Ceremonies are conducted year-round at the Tower, often using traditional prayer cloths.
Lower Right: Roger's and Ripley's Stake ladder as it exists today,

Erected by Devils Tower National Monument - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1893.

Location.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

44° 35.338′ N, 104° 42.83′ W. Marker is in Devils Tower, Wyoming, in Crook County. Marker can be reached from Devils Tower National Monument Road (State Highway 110) 3½ miles west of State Highway 24. The marker is located along the Tower Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 340 WY-110, Devils Tower WY 82714, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Daredevil Stunt (a few steps from this marker); Reach for the Top (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bountiful Land (about 800 feet away); People of the Land (approx. 0.2 miles away); Buried Tower (approx. 0.2 miles away); How Did the Tower Form? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Friends, Family, and Fun (approx. 0.3 miles away); Devils Tower ... the first National Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Devils Tower.

More about this marker. The marker is located on the grounds of the Devil's Tower National Park which requires a small entrance fee to access.

Also see . . .
1. Devils Tower National Monument. (Submitted on July 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
2. Rogers & Ripley Stake Ladder. (Submitted on July 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Many Meanings for Many People Marker and the Devil’s Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 13, 2022

2. The Many Meanings for Many People Marker and the Devil’s Tower

The Many Meanings for Many People Marker is on the left of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 13, 2022

3. The Many Meanings for Many People Marker is on the left of the two markers

The view of the Devil’s Tower at the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 13, 2022

4. The view of the Devil’s Tower at the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.