Near Moab in Grand County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Gone but Not Forgotten

Photographed by James Hulse, March 31, 2025

1. Gone but Not Forgotten Marker

Inscription. Rock features in the park are always changing. Many take form slowly, but they can disappear quickly. Such was the fate of Balanced Rock's former sidekick, called "Chip off the Ol' Block." Made of softer rock than its towering neighbor, Chip collapsed into rubble in the winter of 1974. You can still see the pedestal on which it once sat. What changes can you imagine happening in the park in your lifetime?

Captions
(Photo #1) The rock atop Balanced Rock is estimated to weigh 3,600 tons (3,265 metric tons)-about as much as 20 blue whales.

Erected by Arches National Park, National Park Service Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.

Location. 38° 42.089′ N, 109° 33.995′ W. Marker is near Moab, Utah, in Grand County. It is at the intersection of Arches Scenic Drive and BLM 378, on the right when traveling north on Arches Scenic Drive. The marker is located at Arches National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moab UT 84532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker is in Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Balanced Rock (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Double Arch (approx. 1.8 miles away); How Arches Are Formed (approx. 1.9 miles away); Ancient Sand Dunes (approx. 2.7 miles away); Home Sweet Desert (approx. 3½ miles away); Stories on Stone (approx. 3.6 miles away); Casualties of Change (approx. 4.1 miles away); An Enduring Icon (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moab.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Wolfe Ranch (was approx. 3½ miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by James Hulse, March 31, 2025

2. Gone but Not Forgotten Marker

The base of the fallen “Chip off the Ol' Block” Balanced Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 31, 2025

3. The base of the fallen “Chip off the Ol' Block” Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 31, 2025

4. Balanced Rock

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.