Tower Ladder
Tower Ladder is a wooden structure fixed to the southeast face of Devils Tower in Wyoming, consisting of wooden stakes driven into natural rock cracks and connected by horizontal planks serving as steps. The visible portion extends approximately 170 feet from a point about 100 feet above ground level, though its lower section was removed decades ago for safety reasons.
Two local ranchers, William Rogers and Willard Ripley, constructed the ladder in 1893 to enable the first documented ascent of Devils Tower, which took place on July 4 of that year. After approximately 215 people used it over several decades, the lower 100 feet were removed in the 1930s to prevent accidents, and the remaining section was restored in 1972.
The wooden ladder represents an early chapter in how people began to engage with this natural wonder, turning an isolated rock face into a place of human achievement. Over time it became woven into local stories and American exploration narratives, even though Native American communities have long held the site as sacred and encourage respectful visiting practices.
The structure is visible from the Tower Trail, a short paved loop encircling the monument's base, though binoculars or a telescope help viewers see the upper portion clearly from a distance. Since the wooden stakes have aged considerably and climbing on it is now prohibited, it is best observed from designated viewing areas with the help of interpretive signs that explain its history.
The original ladder was estimated to be 270 to 350 feet long when first built, but only the upper third remains visible today because the lower section was removed for safety. This invisibility of most of the original structure makes it a hidden chapter in the site's history that many visitors overlook unless specifically searching for it.
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