Balanced Rock - Arches National Park, Utah
Posted by: 
94RedRover
N 38° 41.998 W 109° 33.875
12S E 624821 N 4284460
Arches National Park isn't just known for the natural arches, but also the interesting balanced rocks. Balanced Rock is one of the park's iconic balanced rock sculptures, and has laid out a small trail for vantage points all around.
Waymark Code: WM5TYD
Location: Utah, United States
Date Posted: 02/13/2009
Views: 52
...At 8 m. from the junction with US 160 is a 200-foot pinnacle of hard stone (200 yds. L) that has survived erosion, and atop it is BALANCED ROCK, a 50-foot block of even harder stone, with its edges extending precariously past its base. A walk of 200 yards (L) from this point (best conducted by guide) leads to a vantage point from which Delicate Arch and Devil's Garden can be seen to the north.
--- Utah. A Guide to the State, 1941
After entering the park off Highway 191, north of the Pertified Sand Dunes view point, across from the intersection of Willow Flats Road, and just south of the turnoff for the windows section of the park, Balanced rock has it's own turn-off parking area.
The park has developed a trail, just .2 miles around this amazing rock formation for vantage points all around. This 55 foot, 3,500 ton Slick Rock boulder sits 128 feet up on a pedestal of mudstone.
It is just a matter of time before this rock falls. A companion rock, the "Chip off the Old Block" formation toppled during the winter of 1975-1976.