An approximately 80-ton granite boulder that had hung precariously over a hiking trail at Polar Caves Park in Rumney, New Hampshire, collapsed on Sunday, the final day of the park's season. Officials confirmed that no injuries occurred during the incident.

The boulder, described as a “mysterious hanging boulder,” had remained suspended above the trail for the park’s entire 104-year history, since its opening in 1922. Polar Caves Park is known for its nine granite caves, which were created by spaces among large glacial boulders. The hiking trail beneath the overhang includes features such as “The Lemon Squeeze,” “Devil’s Turnpike,” and “Fat Man’s Misery.”

The fall took place without any hikers beneath the rock at the time, according to park management. A video shared by a visitor showed the boulder lying on its side, having crushed a wooden railing and obstructing part of the trail.

Geologists suggest that natural erosion processes likely contributed to the collapse. These include wind, rain, and particularly the freeze-thaw cycle, where water enters cracks in the rock, expands by about 9 percent upon freezing, and gradually weakens the formation. While officials did not provide a detailed explanation for the collapse, this type of geological activity is consistent with similar events.

The incident recalled the 2003 collapse of the Old Man of the Mountain, a notable granite formation in New Hampshire that also succumbed to natural forces. In response to the boulder fall, Polar Caves Park authorities stated their ongoing commitment to visitor and employee safety and indicated that a safety assessment would be conducted during the off-season.