Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Monolith Was Removed From Las Vegas Mountain

Author Shawn Tempesta
A few days ago it was shining on a mountaintop, but now the monolith was removed.

Sorry to burst your bubble, all social media influencers who were planning on climbing up Gass Peak to snap a pic with the recently discovered towering tri-sided mirror. The monolith was removed, but it wasn’t aliens.

Metro Says The Monolith Was Removed Out Of Concerned

In a tweet to followers on X/Twitter, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department gave an update on the monolith that they originally put the spotlight on this past weekend.

“A lot of you asked about the mysterious monolith that was recently spotted north of Las Vegas,” Metro said on X. “Yesterday afternoon, we assisted with the removal of the item due to public safety and environmental concerns.”

Of course to the untrained eye, this seems like the elimination of fun by the unfun police. But if you take a closer look, you’ll see whoever put that monolith there didn’t care too much about the environment around it.

We Know What The Monolith Was Made Of

The nearly 6.5 foot tall structure, according to 8 News Now, was constructed of sheet metal, and made permanent in the spot using rebar and concrete. Not exactly alien material.

That concrete and rebar almost certainly left a hole in the ground, a decent hike away from humanity. It wasn’t a miracle, nor was it a miracle when they appeared at other spots in the world. It was placed on protected land for bighorn sheep, tortoises and more. So obviously, having a bunch of curious Instagram models headed there this weekend, with rising temperatures, would be a pretty terrible idea.

The Monolith May Have Been There For A While

Now that the monolith was removed, it has many sad that it only lasted for about a week. But chances are it has been there for longer. A lot longer.

A YouTube user says he found a monolith in the mountains around Las Vegas back in December 2020, the same year that “monolith mania” spread across the country. This may be the same one in the photos that Metro released.

Whatever the case, the monolith was removed and chances are you weren’t going to take the couple hours of trudging through the desert to see it in 110 degree temperatures anyways.

Shawn Tempesta is the co-host of Aimee+Shawn on 102.7 VGS in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is also an Emmy award nominated television host. As a content creator for 102.7 VGS, Shawn writes about current events, education, funny and trending stories.

Kanarra Falls: A Hike Worth The Trip (PHOTOS)

You occasionally hear the saying “the pictures don’t do it justice” in regards to something or somewhere beautiful. Kanarra Falls, just north of St. George, Utah, is one of those places.

It was actually the pictures that drew me to the spot many years ago. This low-to-moderately challenging hike that had stunning views, gorgeous waterfalls and promises to make your boots slightly muddy.

Lets start with booking, because you’ll need to pay $12 to be one of 150 permitted guests to the hike per day. The falls were becoming so well-traveled that the community decided to institute a permitting system. When you take the trip, you’ll greatly appreciate the beauty of the trail being unmarred by countless spectators. It’s quiet, calm and peaceful.

Beginning the hike

I began my journey around 11am. The four-mile round trip hike starts with a “dry mile” or so. Up an incline, down and around until you eventually come across the water you’ve been hearing. While you aren’t in the water for much of this, I considered it the more difficult of the two miles due to the elevation changes. Doable by nearly all, though.

The second mile is the “damp” mile. You’ll be dipping in and out of sometimes ankle-deep water. Eventually you’ll turn a corner and stare down a slot canyon. This is where the fun begins and the jaws drop. You’ll see pictures below, but know that as beautiful as they and the video above are, they do not hold a candle to being there.

Despite it being high-noon, the shadows were plenty in between these towering rocks, water under my feet. As I continued into the mountain, I could hear the distant rumbling of a waterfall. This is the picture I have seen and wanted to experience in person. Around the corner I went and… there it was. Water is incredibly powerful and majestic and seeing it rush past me was awe-inspiring.

The way past the waterfall has gotten an upgrade recently. Formerly a piece of lumber and some metal “steps” with a support rope, the climb is as simple as a step up a metal staircase. If that seems a little too boring, don’t worry. A little further down you’ll pass “the boulder”, which is a quasi-second waterfall. That climb requires stepping on knotty tree trunks to maneuver your way upwards.

Walk a little further and you’ll get to an absolutely stunning amphitheater-like finish point for most. Trees, places to sit down and have yourself a picnic, and all the serenity you could ask for. I planted myself down here for 30 minutes, took pictures (for you to see) and munched on a granola bar, all while taking in the view I had just earned.

There is a second “falls” behind a slot canyon with deeper waters just beyond this point that I didn’t catch but… there’s always next time.

It’s for (mostly) everyone

While I wouldn’t suggest this for younger kids (1st grade or below), it is not a treacherous rapid. It’s the loose or slick rock you may step on that will get you. I had a couple near misses, but mainly due to not paying attention. Otherwise, wow. You’ve got to find a way to see this.

I would gladly take the trip up again this weekend to do it again. If you find yourself with a free day and a sense of adventure, book your required permit and get ready to head west on Interstate 15. It will be one of those experiences you think of fondly for years to come.

Sign me up for the VGS email newsletter!

Join the 102.7 VGS VIP Club to get access to all of the perks! Find out the latest music and local news stories, awesome contests, and more.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Shawn Tempesta
Category:
Tags:
,

More 102.7 VGS

Load More