Beacon Rock is the 2nd biggest rock in the world. Only the Rock of Gibraltar is bigger, at least according to the bronze placard at the base of the rock. Wikipedia says that this may be true, but it depends on exactly how you define a freestanding rock.

    We like to believe that it is.

    There are three small Hobbit sized tunnels at the base of the rock on the east side. We wondered for years what these could be for, as they are obviously man made. Wikipedia cleared that mystery up for us. Now we know that they were drilled so that they could be filled with explosives to blow the rock up so that the rubble could be used to make a jetty.

    We are glad that they decided not to blow it up.

    Driving past the rock on either the Oregon or Washington side of the Columbia River gives no indication that there is any way to the top, except perhaps to free climb it. It looks like it is just a giant 850 foot tall rock with sheer sides. But there is a trail! And what a trail it is. Not for the faint of heart or those with Acrophobia, the trail can be precarious in places. And it even doubles back over itself in several times.

    Still, with just a bit of effort you reach the top and the views are definitely worth it. Too bad the day we were up there was so overcast.