The Hike to Elephant Head, Santa Maria Mountains

Previously I have hiked to Elephant Head from the south with a group that required a rugged drive over forest service roads.  Too much for my car but I read about an approach from the north that seemed doable at 14 miles, round trip.  Towards the top of the peak, there is an exposed ridge line with a shrine at the top for elephants.  Way cool.

For the first 2 miles I followed a road that had several camp sites that were full and passing a jeep, I wished I too had one as it would give me access to dozens of other trails that can only be reached with this type of vehicle.  Then I arrived at a gate.....

....great and headed toward the elephant but immediately, the trail disappeared under a cover of.....

....tall grass that bent over the trail and after about 1/2 a mile I lost the trail...great.  Each step forward without being able to see where my foot stepped is a bit unnerving, knowing what potentially could be down there.  I reached a grove of trees under which there was a bunch of deer or javelin scat and completely lost the trail.  I decided it would be best to turn around.  This has been a very aggravating trip so far.  As I neared the gate and the forest service road beyond I found a.....

...guy on a mountain bike.  We had a nice talk and he too was uncertain about the trail because if you can't see the rock and debris beneath the grass, it's too dangerous and so later he too turned around and then passed me as I trudged back on the forest service road.

Reaching my car, I drove to the north side and took this image.  Maybe this is a better look at a granite formation that looks like the head of an elephant without the trunk.