Descending Elephant Mt. (Maine) to AT

[marty]

Howdy,

I am hoping to bushwhack Elephant Mt. in Maine this summer. Am trying to decide whether to do a simple round trip bushwhack, or perhaps do a nice traverse to the Bemis Track via the AT and Bemis Valley Trail.

I have read accounts that ascending Elephant via the AT is rough and ledgy, but doable. Am wondering if anyone might guess how difficult it would be to descend from Elephant to the AT.

Thanks as always,
Marty

 

[MarkJ]

If you stay on the AT you come to the herd path which is remnants of an old trail that connects to the logging rd where most do Elephant.Its been a while since I was there but it was quite obvious and was used by trailworkers when I went by.Mights well do Old Blue while your close by...Don't know about ascent and descent from At but it looked kinda ledgy,but I only went to the lookout spot where you can see E Elephant.

 

[marty]

MarkJ,
Thanks for the reply I remember that trail from doing the AT through that stretch (Clearwater Brook Trail). I guess we could descend south down to that trail, head up to the AT and go from there. Will have to discuss things with my hiking partner.

I have done Old Blue several times. Definitely a fine mountain.

Best regards,
marty

 

[spencer]

If you're going to be heading northbound on the AT after Elephant, just head that direction from the summit of Elephant. When I did just that I found the going quite a bit easier on the northeast slope of Elephant than the usual route that hits of lot of very ledgy stuff along the painted AT corridor boundary down to the Clearwater Brook trail.

have fun!

 

[RoySwkr]

I've done it twice, first time was lovely and mossy second time was more rugged. Probably Spencer's advice explains it.

 

[marty]

Thanks guys. If it's a nice day, we'll descend northeast and do the traverse.

Regards,
Marty