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Devils Tower Climbing Routes reopened

On the evening of August 19^th the southeast face of Devils Tower was struck by lightning.  A local climbing guide reported the incident to park officials.  Damage to the climbing route included a large boulder at the base of the tower being blown apart and a washing machine sized rock shifted almost 2 feet down slope near the top.  This rock is located almost 700 feet up the Tower.  Directly below the rock in question is the Tower Trail, the most popular hiking trail in the park.  Park officials closed several climbing routes along the southeast and east faces of the Tower until the stability of the rock could be determined.

Taryn Flesjer, Chief of Resources Management, worked closely with staff from the Geologic Resource Division in Denver, Colorado to evaluate the hazard.  It was determined that the rock is no more a significant hazard than any number of other rocks in the area.  All climbing routes will be reopened today.

The staff at Devils Tower National Monument would like to remind visitors of the hazards that they may encounter while hiking the Tower Trail; lightning and other meteorological events are constantly altering the shape of the Tower and they are a natural part of its formation.