journaling: 10/26/09 - Arches National Park: One of the great things about Arches N.P. is that you can get full enjoyment out of the park no matter if you are driving through, want to take the short walks, or longer hikes. The path around Balanced Rock monument was only 0.2 miles - the relatively level, well defined path encircled Balanced Rock and afforded up-close views. You get an appreciation for the formation’s size when you are standing under it! The display reads: The forces of erosion are sculpting more than just arches. Balanced Rock shows the layers responsible for this amazing defiance of gravity. The caprock of the hard Slick Rock Member of the Estrada Sandstone is perched on a mudstone pedestal. This softer Dewey Bridge Member of the Carmel Formation weathers faster than the resistant rock above. Eventually, the faster eroding Dewey Bridge will cause the collapse of Balanced Rock.
Thanks for looking!