Enchanted Rock, Granite dome in Llano County, US.
Enchanted Rock is a pink granite dome in Llano County that spreads across 640 acres and rises about 425 feet (130 meters) above the Texas hills. The entire formation reaches 1825 feet (556 meters) above sea level and appears as a smooth bulge amid the wooded landscape.
The granite formation emerged 1.1 billion years ago through cooling and crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. Later erosion processes removed the rock layers above and exposed the dome visible today.
The dome gets its name from the sounds the granite makes when cooling after sunset, which earlier inhabitants found mysterious. Hikers today report a faint creaking and cracking audible on quiet nights, giving the place a distinctive character.
Several trails lead to the summit, with the shortest taking about 45 minutes uphill over exposed, slippery rock. Early morning hours work best to avoid heat and crowds, especially in summer.
Shallow depressions on the surface fill with water after rain and form small pools where transparent shrimp live. These puddles also host rare plants that thrive only in such short-lived water pockets.
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