The Elephant Head Hike

This was as much about the trail as it was about the drive.  South to #19, then on to Mount Hopkins Road (which takes you to the top of the mountain and yet another observatory), then Elephant Head Road and then a left turn on to a dirt road that supposedly was ok for cars but....  It was 2.2 miles over rough, rocky road and during the drive, a driver behind me in a high clearance vehicle said about me, "That guy is making me feel like less of a man because he's driving this in a car"  This was stupid and as I approached a really nasty section, I pulled in to a turnout and what luck, it was 100 yards short of the trail head.  Thirteen of us shoved off on a not very steep path that passed a closed gold mine. 

We got an early look at a portion of Elephant Head.  Here, the back is seen, rather than the trunk.

The hike to the base of Elephant Head is not too difficult other than a very steep descent, followed by an ascent of a canyon.

Then, yours truly shown carefully scrambling up the nose of the elephant.  Yes, it's friggin steep and narrow and exposed but mostly it is the howling winds that causes you to bow as you creep up the nose.

Shards of pottery from ancient peoples is found halfway up. Why anyone thought this was a good place to dwell is beyond me.  Oh, these are pronounced "shirds" rather than "shards" as a local corrected me.

Pretty cool view, no?

A panormanic, 360 degree view from the top and one of the best I've seen.

Heading bacck down after delivering elephant head trinkets to the shrine at the top.  Finished with just under 7 miles for the hike.  Oh boy, did a bike ride to try to get my knees and joints back in order from the pounding and now, a long bushwhack up to Table Mountain on Saturday.  Rain is forecast for Friday with 10" of snow up on the top of the mountains.  Should be loads of fun!