Roadside Geology: Crowheart Butte

Driving in the state of Wyoming is really interesting and full of so much history and natural history. Everywhere you look, there is something very cool hidden in those flat plains, mountain ranges, and in the sage.

As we were driving home from Laramie on US-26, I glanced out my window and saw some really awesome roadside Geology!  Crowheart Butte, near Crowheart, Wyoming, has a really distinct physical characteristic and very interesting story behind it.  The butte is composted of claystone and sandstone of the Eocene Wind River formation.

The Story of Crowheart Butte

Since many Indian tribes roamed this land, they fought and battled against each other to gain rights and dominance over the lands to claim for hunting gounds.  So in March of 1866, the Shosone and Bannock Indians fought in a deadly battle against the Crow Indians over rights of hunting grounds in the Wind River basin.  Washakie cheif of the Shosones, killed a Crow Indian's heart and presented it on his lance at the war dance after this battle.  Crowheart Butte was named in honor of Washakie chief's victory.

The story of this victory was that after this five-day battle, Chief Washakie agreed to a duel with Chief Big Robber of the Crow on top of the butte; whoever won, gained the rights to the Wind River hunting grounds and legend has it that the winner would also eat his opponent's heart.  The duel was very courageous and both opponents gave a great fight.  Chief Washakie won the battle, but instead of scalping his opponent, he cut out Chief Big Robber's heart and placed it on his lance.  

I found that very interesting and had to share this little piece of Wyoming history...not to mention the geology is really cool!

Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Crowheart Butte on the way to Dubois, Wyoming.