Return to the Piñon Mesa
Miracle Rock in Glade Park
My first trip to Piñon Mesa is chronicled here:
The Piñon Mesa
I have mentioned several times that the Colorado National Monument is at the edge of an uplift that occurred from 70 to 40 million years ago. That uplift, known as the Uncompahgre, is a cigar-shaped feature about 90 miles long that lies on a diagonal line with the northwest tip of it, called Piñon Mesa, at Grand Junction.
On that trip, I noticed a sign pointing to “Miracle Rock.” On this trip, I went up to see it. There is a picnic area with a few primitive, tent-only camp sites, and a short hiking trail to the rock itself.
It looks like it could tip over any second. Indeed, when I was walking around it, I never took my eyes off of it, just in case. Here’s another view:
Here’s a close up of the balance point:
The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), owner of the property, says that this is the world’s largest rock “of its kind,” whatever that means.
It was a pleasant day, and on my way back down to Grand Junction, I was treated to a nice full-moon rise over the town.
Great photos! Beautiful area.
Yeah, that would creep tf out of me as well. It must be an area low in seismic activity, or that spud would have toppled long ago.
I sure love these chronicles of yours.