South Dakota Trip Day #4

October 9, 2024

Day #4 started with a visit to the Geographic Center of the Nation monument in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. They have a nice visitor’s center and museum to visit here.

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Next, it was into Wyoming to see Devil’s Tower.

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The Tower Trail is about 1 mile and nicely paved. This view from the trail shows the surrounding landscape. This area has recently had both fires and some significant wind storms with many fallen trees. It may have even been a tornado based upon the extent of the damage we saw.

Anyone is allowed to climb on the lower boulder field; but to go above that requires a special climbing permit. We were content to remain on the paved Tower Trail.

A good view of the boulder field leading up to the tower.

Some climbers on their way up the monument.

The next series of images attempt to show the Rogers & Ripley Stake Ladder. This was a wooden ladder installed by Rogers & Ripley in 1893 in the early days of trying to climb the tower.

The ladder is no longer used and today they use self-provided climbing gear.

We finished day #4 at Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon.