Today, Sunday March 2nd, Tony and I decided to drive down the Little River Canyon Rim Scenic Drive and found various overlooks that had the most magnificent views. They were so amazing. Mushroom Rock — Not actually an overlook, Mushroom Rock is an unusual natural formation that rises literally in the middle of Canyon Rim Drive. The roadway divides to pass around it. A number of other unusual rock formations can be seen in the immediate area. Mushroom Rock is a rock formation found in the middle of Highway 176. The rock is shaped like a giant mushroom. It has also been known as Needle Eye Rock due to the slot in its base. The story is that several decades ago, a road crew constructing the original scenic drive is credited with saving this canyon landmark. Plans called for the rock formation we now call Mushroom Rock to be removed. Construction staff refused to blast it away. The crew built the road around it instead. Thanks to the determination of the crew to leave the formation intact, we now have Mushroom Rock in the national preserve. Across from Mushroom Rock is a series of rock outcrops. This is a great place for novice climbers or children to get their first taste of rock climbing.
