The huge granite boulders, known as glacial erratics, were carried to Lamar Valley by ancient glaciers. As the glaciers melted away and retreated back into the Beartooth Range from whence they came, they left the erratics behind. I've learned to approach them carefully, especially on windy days. Years ago, during a solo hike on the Bench, I walked nearly on top of a large black bear feeding on an elk calf behind one of the granite giants. It grabbed the remains and ran, but it's an experience that I'd rather avoid in the future. I had been making a lot of noise, but approached the boulder with the wind in my face. It didn't know I was there until I was nearly on top of it.