Boars Tusk | Red Desert

Roadside Attraction Boars Tusk - Red Desert Roadside Attraction Boars Tusk

Red Desert

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction
LENGTH: 1 hours

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 71. West northwest wind 5 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

71 | 37

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 75. West southwest wind 10 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph.

75 | 43

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 68.

68 | 42

Sun

A slight chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

70 | 41

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

68 | 42

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SEASON: Any, although summers can be hot. Roads can be difficult to pass in the winter or when wet.

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 71. West northwest wind 5 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

71 | 37

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 75. West southwest wind 10 to 33 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph.

75 | 43

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 68.

68 | 42

Sun

A slight chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

70 | 41

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

68 | 42

View Full Weather Details
The Boars Tusk on the Killpecker Creek Plain.

The Boars Tusk on the Killpecker Creek Plain.

The Boars Tusk is a prominent landmark for those traveling through the northern section of the Red Desert. The feature is what remains of an old volcano and rises about 400' above the surrounding Killpecker Creek Plain and dunes desert that surrounds it. The volcano has been dated to about 2.5 million years ago. The millennia have slowly worn down the Boars Tusk to its current size. It is composed of a brittle rock, Lamproite, that is a fairly uncommon volcanic rock.

Being prominent in the landscape gave it significance both today and in more ancient times. Modern hikers and travelers use it as a reference point when exploring that area of the red desert, as surely ancient people did. The Red Desert was home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, who's cultures had lore around the Boars Tusk. In Northern Arapaho, the Boars Tusk is called The Parents because of how it resembles two people from certain perspectives.

Note: Until recently, the feature was also occasionally climbed by rock climbers at a moderate grade to take in the views of the surround plains from a lofty perch. The BLM has closed the route due to its geological and cultural significance, as well as concerns about damage that was occurring to the feature from climbing. Please respect the closure and do not climb on the Boars Tusk.
One of the locals near the Boars Tusk. We saw a lot of antelope on our visit.

One of the locals near the Boars Tusk. We saw a lot of antelope on our visit.

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