Update 6/21/24: The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department posted on X early Friday that the 77-inch-tall monolith found along the Gass Peak hiking trailer was removed because of environmental and public safety concerns. It was made from sheet metal and secured to the ground with rebar and concrete. It’s being stored in an undisclosed location, and there is currently no investigation as to who made it or where it came from.
Las Vegas, Nevada, Metropolitan Police Department discovered a mirrored monolith along the popular Gass Peak hiking trail earlier this week. Gass Peak trail summit reaches 7,000 feet in height and is located about 20 miles north of the metro area.
The unusual sight was quickly posted on Facebook along with a comment from the police: “We see a lot of weird things when people go hiking like not being prepared for the weather, not bringing enough water… but check this out!” Two photos of the reflective object accompanied the FB posting. It is not known where the monolith came from or who installed it near the Gass Peak trail.
Las Vegas monolith not the first
This week’s monolith is not the first to suddenly appear. In March of this year, a hiker in Wales found a monolith and a number of them have been discovered all around the world since the mid-2000s. Locations include Romania, Utah, California, New Mexico, and now Nevada.
What is it?
Monoliths appear and often disappear without warning. The vertical metal slabs vary from 10 to 12 feet in height and reflect their surroundings. Locations are random and obscure, often difficult to access. However, one monolith was discovered in a San Diego parking lot!
Habitat concerns
Conservationists worry that monoliths erected in remote locations pose a threat to wildlife and their natural habitat.
In the past, when a monolith’s location is revealed, large numbers of people scurry to see the unworldly scene for themselves. As a result, vegetation is trampled and the natural area near the monolith is disrupted.
Who’s doing it?
No one seems to know who is constructing and installing the monoliths. They do not seem to have originated from the same source.
Some folks believe that copycats emerged soon after the first monolith was discovered. The original artist behind the mysterious figure has yet to be identified.
Have you ever seen one? Do you know the answer to the monolith mystery?
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Hiking lost it’s challenge for me, so I decided that lugging something heavy, long, and mirrored would bring the challenge back. I stuck this one on Gass mountain in hopes that they would re-name it Looking GLASS mountain. OR,,,,, Maybe NOT.
Saw the one in the parking lot in San Diego on the local news. And NO, I didn’t put it there..🙃
Thank you, Gail! Nope, have never seen one (apart from the one in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” of course). I guess this is more confirmation that we don’t get out much. 😉 Thanks again, have a great weekend, and safe travels! 🙂
2001: A Space Odessy again. These things are coming from somewhere! Why not space? I grew up with that movie……..
I wouldn’t call the people doing this “artists”.
The aliens did it, of course.
“The aliens did it, of course.”
Yes. And that’s why we need to build the wall!
Seriously though, a threat to wildlife and their habitat? Nature is that fragile? I think this is just another publicity stunt from a rather creative sort. Kinda’ like the silly Prada store in the desert, or Banksy tags on walls. I don’t find it as offensive as most graffiti. It has a Space Odyssee vibe to it.
“Conservationists worry that monoliths erected in remote locations pose a threat to wildlife and their natural habitat.”. Of course. I guess they’re right about folks wanting to run out and see it though. I would. They also mention that it is “secured to the ground with rebar and concrete”. Not an easy task to install or remove. I’ll just put this in my “interesting” file.