Elephant Mtn (E Peak) - 3110'

[onestep]

Elephant Mtn (E Peak) - 3110'

On Saturday a long lost hiking buddy & I got together to bushwhack this 3000 footer in Western Maine.

We approached the peak from the East via a logging road off Route 17. We where able to drive to within a mile of the summit. This gated logging road was open and is in good condition. There is one bad washout that I was able to cross last year in my off-road Taurus. This year I'm glad we crossed it with Ron's 4x4 Tacohma. It would have been interesting in my car.

We started out hiking West on an old haul road. Directly in front of us was a great view of the NEHH Elephant Mtn. We followed the road to its end and proceeded across the cut-over area to the woods line. From there to just below the summit we walked through a beautiful uncut forest of mature Balsam & Spruce. There where many Moose paths to follow making for easy 'whackin.

We found the summit jar on the second bump we explored. The top was a bit thick in places but fortunately the high point was open. The jar was easily spotted and is in good shape. The usual list of suspects all have signed in... the last being in 2005.

Another great day in the woods!

 

[albee]

This is almost exactly the route I was considering for this peak... I was scoping out some big clear-cuts on the north side of East Elephant from some of the viewpoints on the AT near Mt Bemis. It looked a lot easier (and shorter) to get it from that direction than to whack across the col from the old AT.

How far past the wash-out did you make it in the truck? I'm not sure my off-road Subaru would fare any better than your off-road Taurus, so I want to know how much of a road walk I should be expecting.

Thanks for the beta!

 

[onestep]

How far past the wash-out did you make it in the truck? <snip> how much of a road walk I should be expecting.

Albee - I wish I could be a bit more certain, but, without paying much attention I'd venture a SWAG of about a mile...

 

[marty]

Onestep - was the logging road you took just south of the S. Branch of the Swift River? Just wondering

Thanks,
Marty

 

[audrey]

Back in 1991, we went up the Bemis Stream Trail to the old Elephant Mountain lean-to, which was in bad shape. From there it was a nice mossy climb until near the top, which was covered with slash and young balsams. I liked that trail much better before it was rerouted.

 

[dms]

Back in 1991, we went up the Bemis Stream Trail to the old Elephant Mountain lean-to, which was in bad shape. From there it was a nice mossy climb until near the top, which was covered with slash and young balsams. I liked that trail much better before it was rerouted.

I did this peak in 1985 with a group including Dennis C. We came in over Old Blue, then we hiked down to the col and then up to Elephant Mtn., next we bushwacked the ridge to Bemis, then followed the AT to the shelter, then over to E. Elephant, from there we hiked out the Clearwater Brook Trail. I agree with you Audrey that the AT was nicer before it was rerouted, and the Clearwater Brook trail was a gem as well.

 

[onestep]

Onestep - was the logging road you took just south of the S. Branch of the Swift River? Just wondering

Thanks,
Marty

Just S of the W Branch...

shhhhhhh

 

[marty]

Just S of the W Branch...

shhhhhhh

West Branch; that's right. I don't think there is a S. Branch.

My lips are sealed