bryan
New member
date: 8/11/12
trails: logging roads, herd paths, bushwack
conditions: great directions to the parking for the start of this hike can be found at www.franklinsites.com. parked about 3 miles in from south arm road on elephant mountain road then walked up an old, wet and overgrown logging road marked by a cairn. when the road reaches its height of land (about .25) a cairn marks a path on the left. the path almost immediately splits to the left and continues as a herd path gaining elevation. the path to the right is flagged which could lead to confusion. there was no clear marked exit from this path, but continuing to follow it eventually seems to lead towards the lesser summit of elephant so i eventually took a bearing and left on another road towards the summit. everything was very wet. i pushed through some thick growth and reached a prominent logging road at about 3400 ft. that is quite helpful in navigating on the way down. from there it was a mix of intermittent herd paths and bushwacking to the summit with a couple thick sections. i got a bit south around the summit area and discovered a very thich patch of fir/spruce i had to push through to reach the summit canister. the log book is pretty soggy and should probably have a new one added with a dry ziploc, etc. leaving the summit i started on a very prominent herd path which disappeared in blowdown and thick growth and i ended up bushwacking most of the way back down to the road before finding my way back to the original herd path i followed up from the logging road. definitely be ready to do some navigating on this one as there is no continuous herd path and the mix of cuts and herd paths can be a bit confusing (it was for me anyway).
the flagged path to the right at the second cairn, which i initially followed until it was clear it was just slabbing across the slopes of the mountain, was marked with flagging to start and then had faded blue paint blazes and ultimately met up with the appalachian trail after about .5 miles. the was a sign facing this junction and it gave the impression of being a side trail. clearly it is being kept marked for some reason. anyone?
equipment: navigational tools of your choice.
comments: decided to make the drive up to elephant today once it looked like the rain might hold off for a bit. was soaked quickly regardless. some local views and even a bit of sun at times. nice running into tim (hikebikeskifish) back at the parking area after passing each other unknowingly somewhere in the woods. good to be out.
bryan
[email protected]
trails: logging roads, herd paths, bushwack
conditions: great directions to the parking for the start of this hike can be found at www.franklinsites.com. parked about 3 miles in from south arm road on elephant mountain road then walked up an old, wet and overgrown logging road marked by a cairn. when the road reaches its height of land (about .25) a cairn marks a path on the left. the path almost immediately splits to the left and continues as a herd path gaining elevation. the path to the right is flagged which could lead to confusion. there was no clear marked exit from this path, but continuing to follow it eventually seems to lead towards the lesser summit of elephant so i eventually took a bearing and left on another road towards the summit. everything was very wet. i pushed through some thick growth and reached a prominent logging road at about 3400 ft. that is quite helpful in navigating on the way down. from there it was a mix of intermittent herd paths and bushwacking to the summit with a couple thick sections. i got a bit south around the summit area and discovered a very thich patch of fir/spruce i had to push through to reach the summit canister. the log book is pretty soggy and should probably have a new one added with a dry ziploc, etc. leaving the summit i started on a very prominent herd path which disappeared in blowdown and thick growth and i ended up bushwacking most of the way back down to the road before finding my way back to the original herd path i followed up from the logging road. definitely be ready to do some navigating on this one as there is no continuous herd path and the mix of cuts and herd paths can be a bit confusing (it was for me anyway).
the flagged path to the right at the second cairn, which i initially followed until it was clear it was just slabbing across the slopes of the mountain, was marked with flagging to start and then had faded blue paint blazes and ultimately met up with the appalachian trail after about .5 miles. the was a sign facing this junction and it gave the impression of being a side trail. clearly it is being kept marked for some reason. anyone?
equipment: navigational tools of your choice.
comments: decided to make the drive up to elephant today once it looked like the rain might hold off for a bit. was soaked quickly regardless. some local views and even a bit of sun at times. nice running into tim (hikebikeskifish) back at the parking area after passing each other unknowingly somewhere in the woods. good to be out.
bryan
[email protected]
