Devils Tower

2022-07-18
Devils Tower WY, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

Today we left the Hipcamp site at 7:00 after sleeping in a little (to 6:30). We needed a little extra rest, and it was so peaceful and quiet. This was our first time camping like this, and it seems like a good business model. I think the tricky bit for the host is supplying the bathroom, but in this case Michelle was already supplying the facilities for herself.

Devils Tower was our first stop of the day. Actually, an overlook a few miles away from the tower to try some pics. Then we went and hiked the Red Beds Trail for 3 miles. During the hike the sky changed from overcast to partly cloudy and back to cloudy. We weren't always in the best place at the best time for both the sky and tower, but we took what we could.

Devils Tower with clouds
Devils Tower with clouds
Devils Tower with clouds and trees
Devils Tower with clouds and trees

Along the way we had the opportunity to photograph a red-headed woodpecker and a magpie in addition to the tower. We weren't using long lenses so they had to get close for us to get anything at all It was another hot day, in the 90's by the time we finished the loop midmorning.

Redheaded woodpecker
Redheaded woodpecker
Magpie
Magpie

We had arrived at the Tower fairly early at 8:30ish. When we got back from our hike the parking lot was full and there was a line of people waiting for us to pull out. So off we shoved, leaving all the late birds (the 10-4 crowd) to fight over the spot. We went back to the overlook because a lot of Devils Tower pictures are improved by a blue sky with a few clouds.

Tower from overlook, with a few clouds
Tower from overlook, with a few clouds

Then it was off through Montana and into North Dakota to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We stopped by the Painted Rocks Visitor Center to get maps and sign pictures. We had intended to hike the Painted Rocks Nature Trail, but with it still over 90 at 3:30 we switched it up to set up camp first. At the campground we learned three things: first, our reserved campsite lacked any shade; second, the bathroom closest to our reserved site was under construction and was currently just a slab with pipes; and third, a lot of people had canceled due to the heat so there were spaces available for us in the loop. We opted for a shady spot nearer the remaining facilities. The bathroom was new, but lacked things like a shelf over the sink or some hooks to make it easier. I figure it's like a new house; it takes a while to add the extra door or outlet in a useful spot. At any rate, the campground is right on the Little Missouri River and has nice views all around.

To kill some time during the heat we decided to drive a bit of the scenic loop (with a road closure it's now a scenic three-quarter-loop-out-and-back). We saw all the usual suspects: prairie dogs, Pronghorn Antelope, and, of course, bison.

TRNP antelope. They have the same indifference as the Custer ones.
TRNP antelope. They have the same indifference as the Custer ones.
Dust baths to deal with the heat
Dust baths to deal with the heat

Then we headed back to tackle the nature trail. It's a very pretty trail, but it's a lot greener than I remember it. One shopkeeper told us that they'd had more rain than usual and it actually is a lot greener this year.

Painted hills. No actual painters were hired.
Painted hills. No actual painters were hired.
The different layer erosion is interesting.
The different layer erosion is interesting.
Not that different from the Badlands.
Not that different from the Badlands.

That got us to supper time which was quickly followed by sleep.

Driving Distance: 235 miles

Hiking Distance: 4 miles

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