Fun Places | Helper Balanced Rock
Hype:
In January 1929, a plan was made by Gordon Richardson and Arthur Sandviken to put a flag atop a pole on the balanced rock north of Helper. During 1929 and 1930, three flags and one barrel were placed on the pipe pole.
Those involved in the work of putting the flag up were Gordon Richardson, Arthur Sandviken, Ira Jackson, Bob Reddington, Frank Richardson, Chester Richardson, Dayton Kelly, Rudy Felice, Albert Marshall and William Marshall.
A rope, tied to an 8-inch monkey wrench, was thrown across the top of the rock and came down the southwest side, with material being passed across the gap with pulley and hand line. Tools and a length of 1 1/4 inch pipe were hoisted up the rock with block and tackle. The pipe was placed in a crack in the rock with a rock drill driven down beside the pipe to hold it tight.
The first flag, placed May 12, 1929, was a 24 x 24 inch canvas which lasted 60 days and was blown from the pole. Another pipe was put up and supported by the first pipe. The second flag was a 36 x 60 inch silk flag furnished by the Helper Y.M.C.A. This flag lasted the better part of eight months, being shredded by teh wind put remained wrapped about the pole. The third flag, made of 16 gauge steel, was built in the Utah Railway Co. shop at Martin, Utah. It was painted as an American Flag and placed on the pole. The bending action of the wind broke this metal flag in only 48 hours. The fourth, and last item, placed on the pole June 29, 1930, was a 100 pound grease drum furnished by Bryner's Service Station. It was placed on the pole, holes cut in it for drainage, and the drum filled about half full of rock to hold it down. This drum remains today.
When this last project was completed, the group had made 252 trips up and down the mountain. the rock itself is 19 x 28 feet on top and 52 feet high.
Time:
Fees: None
Recommended Ages:
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 | 4-11 |
 | 12-19 |
 | 20-49 |
 | 50-69 |
 | 70+ |
Recommended Months to Visit:
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Navigate to 39.692785, -110.859787.
By Jeremy Dye
Jeremy Dye, Spanish Fields Priests,
I had seen the balanced rock several times while driving up Price Canyon, but I had never really given it much notice until I read the history of the Balanced Rock Expedition in the Western Mining and Railroad Museum. I thought the story was pretty interesting.
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