Frog Woman Rock, Volcanic rock summit near Russian River in Mendocino County, California
Frog Woman Rock is a volcanic rock formation in Mendocino County that rises above the Russian River canyon within the California Coast Ranges. The structure stands approximately 879 feet tall and is visible from multiple angles near the nearby highway.
The Northwestern Pacific Railroad tunneled through the rock in 1889 to establish a railroad route along the canyon's western side. This tunnel remains an important engineering achievement in the region's transportation history.
The name comes from Pomo mythology, where Frog Woman is the clever wife of Coyote with a human face and frog body. This story remains part of the local identity and shapes how people understand this place.
The location sits directly beside U.S. Route 101, which provides multiple access and viewing points. Visitors can rock climb, kayak on the nearby river, or simply view the formation from various spots along the highway.
The Russian River flows unusually against the rock formation because earth movement pushes the river westward. This creates distinctive sediment patterns in the water that you can observe from viewing spots.
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