Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

The Hike to Elephant Head, Santa Maria Mountains

10/25/2015

0 Comments

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



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.