Bald Rock Dome formed from a large body of melted rock called the Bald Rock Pluton deep in the earth's crust. The Bald Rock Pluton is two miles wide and formed approximately 140 million years ago. As the pluton cooled, parts of its coarse grained granitic rock became very resistant to weathering, and Bald Rock Dome is one example of this resistant rock material. The dome rises nearly 2,000 feet above the Middle Fork Feather River and Bald Rock Canyon to an elevation of 3,509 feet above sea level. Bald Rock Dome is similar to Half Dome in Yosemite.