Looking away from the tower you see a pine forest. The difficult to see bundles of wood and needles were gathered by the Park Service in order to burn. The buildup of dry wood could make a large fire more likely so they are seeking to limit the amount of dead wood. The rocks in the foreground have fallen from the tower. By John Hunter OCt 2002.

Tree bark by John Hunter Oct 2002.

The large rock in the foreground is a fallen column from the tower. By John Hunter OCt 2002.

Photo from the base, looking away from the tower. The rocks in the photo have fallen from the tower.

The tower is considered sacred by some Native Americans: the sign asks that the prayer cloth hanging in the trees not be disturbed.