"Giant Rock" That Nearly Crushed RV a Cosmic Attraction

Said to be perhaps the world's tallest freestanding rock, "Giant Rock" near Landers, California has an interesting history. At over seven stories tall, it is indeed one huge chunk of granite. Over the years it's been a meeting point for Native Americans, UFOlogists, dirt bikers, and RVers looking for a spot to boondock.

Originally a "one piece" affair, in February 2000 a huge chunk of Giant Rock sloughed off, nearly smashing an RV parked nearby. "Mystery" surrounds the reason for the breakage--some say Mother Earth was lodging a complaint, others suggest that a bonfire set under the rock may have contributed to the breakage.

Want to see it for yourself? Find your way to California Highway 247 out of Yucca Valley. Be prepared for a STEEP upgrade. North of Landers watch for the hard to read sign to Linn Road, and travel east on Linn Road until the pavement ends. Travel 1.5 miles on dirt to the fork in the road, and take the right fork another 1.6 miles over "Whoops!" type dirt road (highly exagerated washboard road) to the rock.