Mt Herman Rd Balanced Rock - Pike National Forest, CO
Posted by: 
condor1
N 39° 04.148 W 104° 57.620
13S E 503431 N 4324449
Located deep in Pikes National Forest this Rock dominates Forestry Rd 320 also known as Mt Herman Rd.
Waymark Code: WMB24W
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 03/25/2011
Views: 13
This Monolith of nature is a local’s landmark. The Rock actually tilts over the road. The base is a boulder roughly 12 X 12 feet and stands about 10 foot high. The Balanced Rock has a base of approximately 8 X 10 feet and it towers a further 32 feet above. This makes a total of between 40 to 45 feet at the pinnacle.
Directions from the north:
If you are approcahing from the north then from I-25 in Monument, exit onto St Hwy 105 / 2nd St. Follow this west until it T's onto Mitchell Ave. Turn left (south) and proceed about 1 mile. Turn right (west) onto Mt Herman Rd. This part can be a little difficult as this is a mountain road so there are road obsticals such as ruts and large stones in the road bed. (I drove it in a standard SUV) Follow Mt Herman Rd as it passes some of the most fantastic views. There are many switchbacks and tight blind curves. After about a little over 8 miles you will see the rock on the east side of the road. Granted you will only travel about a total of 10 miles, but expect this to take at least 45 minutes to an hour.
Directions from the south:
In Woodland Park, from the intersection of Hwy 24 and 67 head north about 1/2 mile and then turn right onto Lake Ave. Follow this for about .8 miles then turn left onto Co Rd 22. This is more commonly know by the locals as Rampart Range Rd. Follow this road (it is gravel) for a little over 6 miles or until you see Mt Herman Rd (aka Forest Rd 320). At this point turn right (east) and travel a little over 4.5 miles. You can't miss this rock 'cause it overhangs the road at a tight right turn.
Special Note:
You are in the Rocky Mountains on a Forestry Road, so take the drive slow and enjoy the scenery as you traverse the Colorado Front Range. This area is part of our National Forest Lands and has been set aside for our enjoyment. There are plenty of scenic vistas and the forest is magnificant. There are plenty of wildlife to see as well.
Visit Instructions:
Please provide a photo of you and/or your GPS at the site.