A landmark boulder known as “Wizard Rock” and weighing 1 ton mysteriously reappeared in an Arizona national forest after it was believed to have been stolen last month, officials said.
The black rock, which had white quartz running through it, was reported missing about two weeks ago from its familiar location on State Route 89 near White Spar Road south of Prescott, .
Since then, the gargantuan rock’s disappearance attracted nationwide media attention.
In a Friday statement, that the boulder was back in its regular spot.
A national forest employee made the shocking discovery while patrolling the Prescott Basin.
“We are thrilled the Wizard Rock was returned, and are grateful that whoever took it was conscientious enough to give it back to the public,” Sarah Clawson, district ranger for the Bradshaw Ranger District, said in the statement. “National Forests provide so many benefits to the American people, and when something like this happens, it highlights the intrinsic value of natural beauty in all its forms.”
Earlier this week, Jason Williams, trails and wilderness manager at the Prescott National Forest, told the Republic that moving the enormous rock would have taken a tremendous amount of manpower.
“The easy way to do it would be a back hoe,” Williams said. “But, if you had a trailer positioned properly and didn’t mind beating some things up, you might be able to do it with a Bobcat. But you surely aren’t going to be able to do it any other way.”
Forest managers are considering moving the rock, regarded as “special to the community,” to another location, “where its beauty and uniqueness can be more easily seen by visitors,” officials said.
Meanwhile, officials reminded the public that permits are required to gather and remove most forest products — including rocks and minerals, firewood, plants and trees.