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Elephant Head - South Approach - 20 members in 69 triplogs have rated this an average 4.4 ( 1 to 5 best )
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69 triplogs
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Feb 07 2025
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 Guides 93
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 Triplogs 4,126

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Feb 07 2025
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,126
Hike & Climb6.44 Miles 2,450 AEG
Hike & Climb6.44 Miles   3 Hrs   52 Mns   1.91 mph
2,450 ft AEG5 LBS Pack
 
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JuanJaimeiii
Great Hike with the Good Count Tacula. Perfect day.
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Feb 07 2025
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 Routes 596
 Photos 9,610
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58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Feb 07 2025
JuanJaimeiiiTriplogs 2,402
Hike & Climb6.44 Miles 2,391 AEG
Hike & Climb6.44 Miles   3 Hrs   52 Mns   1.67 mph
2,391 ft AEG
 
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fricknaley
Dr. Frick and I had incredible weather for this gem of a hike. It has been a while since we did it and every time I go I am reminded of what a fun hike it is. Today was no exception.
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  3 archives
Dec 21 2023
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 Guides 2
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 Photos 42
 Triplogs 894

58 male
 Joined Jul 12 2012
 Oro Valley, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Dec 21 2023
SpiderLegsTriplogs 894
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles 2,343 AEG
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles   3 Hrs   42 Mns   1.68 mph
2,343 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
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Perfect day to check this off my to-do list. Road in was easy, even saw someone driving in with a Dodge Charger and my Subaru handled it with no problem.

Typical Santa Rita Mountain route finding, you are only 5-10 feet away from the route but you can't find the trail. Trail was fairly obvious down to the creek crossing. Once past that it was brushy and tough to follow. Took some sleuthing skills to follow the route on Route Scout. You'd be standing right on the route but with no obvious path to follow. Then you figure out you need to be 5-6 feet above where you are standing.

Fun climb and I'd add it to the list of peaks worth a second trip.
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Dec 17 2022
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 Guides 94
 Routes 842
 Photos 22,068
 Triplogs 1,994

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 17 2022
chumleyTriplogs 1,994
Hiking8.51 Miles 3,298 AEG
Hiking8.51 Miles   5 Hrs   24 Mns   1.91 mph
3,298 ft AEG      57 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Partners partners
John9L
johnlp
trekkin_gecko
Apparently this is considered a climbing route? :-k

I'd never done Elephant Head and 9L has been talking about it for about a decade so when the opportunity presented itself, we decided to tag along with the more experienced route-finders.

9L and I compromised on a slightly later than typical LP/TG quarter-til-oh-dark-thirty start time and arrived at the trailhead in plenty of time to enjoy the subfreezing temperatures before the sun made an appearance.

Nice trail for the most part, steep dropping into Chino Canyon, and somewhat easy to lose the route climbing the north side if you got distracted. The not-really-climbing-at-all scramble up to the summit was fun and the route was straightforward.

Thankfully all the trash has been removed, though I did find one broken glass figurine about 100 feet below the summit that I gladly hauled out. To think I stole somebody's family heirloom!!
](*,)

We headed down to Chino and took another break having some fun with the iced-over creek before heading to Elephant Sister. The views up here are worth the side trip for sure and we enjoyed another snack break.

On the way back to the trailhead we passed our only other people today, a couple of guys who had apparently gone to the mine.

The road was in good enough condition to take a hybrid suv, definitely no problem in a subi. Flooding and future washouts may change that.

Authentic lunch in the old pueblo before the drive home. Excellent recommendation. Fun day. I'd do this again. Great to hike with LP and Trekkin again, and a pleasure to be just a lazy passenger on a drive. Thanks!
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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  1 archive
Dec 17 2022
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 Guides 1
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 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 17 2022
johnlpTriplogs 5,208
Hiking8.82 Miles 3,277 AEG
Hiking8.82 Miles   5 Hrs   24 Mns   2.11 mph
3,277 ft AEG   1 Hour   13 Mns Break
 no routes
Partners partners
chumley
John9L
trekkin_gecko
Got a text invite to hike both Elephant Heads. Responded with one word, "Yes". It's an epic hike for the scenery, fun, and effort. I don't get out with chumley often enough, and I haven't hike with 9L in years. So it was great to catch up with both of them.
30 degree start at the trailhead. Once we got warmed up and into the sun temps felt perfect. There was some ice on the creek in Chino Basin which is a bit of a novelty for us desert dwellers.
The ascent up Elephant Head went well, as we avoided all but a little exposure along the upper portion. We took a nice break on top before descending and working our way over to Little Elephant Head. The views there are as good as Elephant Head IMHO.
Fantastic hike. Great company. Thanks for driving Kelly. :)
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Dec 17 2022
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 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 17 2022
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,660
Hiking8.82 Miles 3,277 AEG
Hiking8.82 Miles   5 Hrs   24 Mns   2.11 mph
3,277 ft AEG   1 Hour   13 Mns Break
 
Partners partners
chumley
John9L
johnlp
chumley and 9L hadn't hiked elephant head so we needed to fix that
took my car to trailhead
the road is in great condition for a 2wd hc vehicle
did this one five years ago with john and jj and really liked it
set out around 0830 with temps in low 30s
warmed up nicely once we got in the sun
the drop down into chino canyon is steep, but better trail than i remember from last time
a corresponding climb out, then west to the base of the peak
a fun scramble to the top
john led since he's been up there several times
took a break on top and enjoyed a snack and the views
headed down and down
water in chino canyon with a layer of ice on top
kind of a grind back up, but then good trail over to the little elephant head turnoff
a mile of a more moderate ascent to the summit, where we again took in the views and some snacks
mostly downhill from there to the trailhead
not easy, but a really fun hike
pretty sure everyone enjoyed this one
saw just two people all day
stopped for street tacos in tucson
nice to see john9l again
thanks guys - had a great time :)

*using johnlp's stats
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hazhole
 
Nov 27 2022
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 Guides 3
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 Triplogs 1,634

50 female
 Joined Sep 18 2009
 Tucson, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 27 2022
GrottoGirlTriplogs 1,634
Hiking6.75 Miles 2,430 AEG
Hiking6.75 Miles   5 Hrs   32 Mns   1.71 mph
2,430 ft AEG   1 Hour   35 Mns Break
 
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Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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Apr 09 2022
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 Guides 170
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 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Apr 09 2022
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
Hike & Climb6.55 Miles 2,343 AEG
Hike & Climb6.55 Miles
2,343 ft AEG
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ryan321
Hiked this with my brother Ryan on a toasty and very windy day. His first time on Elephant Head and my first in 10 years, since hiking it with Nick and Allen Fraley. Started mid-morning with a wet shirt for the high 80s forecast. We took a break at the Chino Creek crossing where shade and a couple of small pools were. Made the exciting climb up the elephant’s back and on to the summit. Was happy to see a couple of elephant figurines in the summit ammo can. Started getting pretty warm on the descent. Ryan and I stopped for a shade break at the Chino crossing again. I soaked in the chilly little pool among the canyon tree frogs, counting 49 little frogs among the rocks, agaves and crevices (a regular amphibious army!). Got cleaned up back at our vehicles and then drove into Tucson for Mexican food at El Minuto. Great adventure with great company. Saw a total of 6 others the whole day.
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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
  2 archives
Apr 03 2022
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 Guides 1
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 Photos 613
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50 male
 Joined Dec 22 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Elephant Head North Face and Chino canyon, AZ 
Elephant Head North Face and Chino canyon, AZ
 
Canyoneering avatar Apr 03 2022
RedwallNHopsTriplogs 1,360
Canyoneering6.20 Miles 2,567 AEG
Canyoneering6.20 Miles
2,567 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Partners none no partners
Needed something to get in shape and this fits the bill. The North Face route is fun as ever. I was hoping Chino would have some flow after last weeks weather event but there were just pools. No swimmers but a couple of deep wades. Brought a 3/2 wetsuit - didn't really need it but it was nice to have. We ended up doing 2 rappels.
Fun day.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
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Feb 12 2022
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 Guides 2
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69 male
 Joined Mar 01 2009
 Aztec, NM
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 12 2022
PivoTriplogs 4,280
Hiking6.23 Miles 2,575 AEG
Hiking6.23 Miles   5 Hrs      2.34 mph
2,575 ft AEG   2 Hrs   20 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
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Baja Arizona Hiking
MyRudy
SkyIslandHiker
Group hike. Nice cool breezy morning, there's been lots of trail work since the last time I was there. Not too overgrown going up and down Chino Canyon.

Summit is elephant free!

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Chino Spring Gallon per minute Gallon per minute
Running with nice cold pools at the crossing.
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Jan 29 2022
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 Guides 12
 Routes 192
 Photos 863
 Triplogs 356

42 male
 Joined Nov 30 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Jan 29 2022
ShatteredArmTriplogs 356
Run/Jog10.59 Miles 3,501 AEG
Run/Jog10.59 Miles   4 Hrs   40 Mns   2.42 mph
3,501 ft AEG      17 Mns Break
 
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Original plan was to do another AZT passage today, but a friend in Tucson hit me up about doing Elephant Head, and I was immediately sold. Had been wanting to do this one for awhile.

Started late in the morning, and started off with Little Elephant as a sort-of entree. It didn't look like much from the saddle, but it turned out to be longer and more interesting than I expected. Even better, there was trail the whole way, and nothing too scratchy.

After Little Elephant, we continued up Quantrell Mine Trail, which is smooth as butter and one of the most well-maintained trails in all of the Santa Rita Mountains. It's a good thing they put so much time and effort into improving this well-used and beneficial-to-the-community trail. The mine at the end of the trail was kinda alright, I guess...

Backtracked to the Elephant Head turn-off for the main course. I didn't like how far we had to drop just to climb back up again, it seems like it would've been smarter to contour around the other side of the canyon from the mine, but what do I know... But I'm over it. At least there were a couple pools of water at the bottom that provided a nice spot to take a break on the hike back.

I was wigging myself out a little bit over the actual ridge climb up Elephant Head, since I'm not an experienced climber and I don't like heights and whatnot, but it turned out to really be a piece of cake. When I got to the summit, I had the same thought as I did when I saw the Papago Wall, which is... that's it? I feel a little let down that I didn't have to fear for my life even once. Battleship Mountain, Nankoweap Trail, Tapeats Cave, Deer Creek Narrows, etc. etc., all more frightening. Old Baldy Trail after freezing fog with no traction device was way more frightening.

Overall a great outing, I'd definitely climb Elephant Head again.
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Jan 16 2022
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46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Jan 16 2022
JimTriplogs 2,324
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles 2,343 AEG
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles
2,343 ft AEG10 LBS Pack
 • 3rd
 no routes
1st trip
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Mike_W
Sunny day hike with Mike. We went slow and took our time. Something new, and different. Pretty good. No elephants, on top.
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Jan 16 2022
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 Guides 104
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 Photos 16,118
 Triplogs 528

53 male
 Joined Dec 30 2005
 Tucson, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Jan 16 2022
Mike_WTriplogs 528
Hike & Climb6.55 Miles 2,854 AEG
Hike & Climb6.55 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   1.87 mph
2,854 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
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Did a great hike with Jim on this beautiful 74 degree day. The stream at the bottom of the canyon didn't have a flow of water this time of year. This is probably my 6th time hiking this one. Met up with Dave on the way back who was there hiking Little Elephant Head and part of the Quantrell Mine Trail. Ate afterwards at Longhorn Grill in Amado, a local and very memorable steakhouse.

By the way, where the hell did the elephants go and what arrogant fool(s) removed them? So sad that someone consumes their time with such a petty task of removing items that collectively only took up about 1 square feet of space. That was the personal property of many hikers all across the World, but it was stolen by some arrogant person or arrogant entity. They should be prosecuted by the full extent of the law for THEFT. They must remember that they don't own the mountain, and that the hundreds of hikers who placed items there greatly out weighs the decision of ANY individual or small group of petty dictators.
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Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
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  1 archive
Dec 03 2021
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 Guides 16
 Routes 81
 Photos 1,269
 Triplogs 1,145

51 male
 Joined Apr 30 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Dec 03 2021
azdesertfatherTriplogs 1,145
Hike & Climb7.00 Miles 2,536 AEG
Hike & Climb7.00 Miles   4 Hrs   56 Mns   1.83 mph
2,536 ft AEG25 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
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Third trip up. Beautiful day. Most of the elephants have been removed by the USFS, only a half dozen smaller, new ones left.
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"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." — Henry David Thoreau
 
Nov 04 2021
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 Triplogs 6

male
 Joined Dec 30 2020
 Parker Dam, CA
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Nov 04 2021
rwhitesideTriplogs 6
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles 2,343 AEG
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles
2,343 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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There’s no way I would consider this Class 4 at all. This hike is easy Class 3 with low exposure (and that’s only for the very last part). Consult the definition of hiking classes. Due to this misinformation, I was prepared for a much harder hike. The challenges with this hike are the overgrowth (wearing long pants helps), light route finding, and the easy class 3 (no you don’t need a rope!).
  1 archive
Apr 11 2021
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 Guides 93
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 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,126

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Apr 11 2021
fricknaleyTriplogs 4,126
Hike & Climb8.32 Miles 2,515 AEG
Hike & Climb8.32 Miles   4 Hrs   2 Mns   2.14 mph
2,515 ft AEG
 
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johnlp
JuanJaimeiii
apparently this was an 8 years in the making raincheck hike :y:

great time with the boys. elephant head is one of my favorites around. the sharp elevation gain kicked my butt, however it is certainly worth it. great summit conditions. we checked out quantrell mine afterwords. i haven't been out there in years. it sits in a cool location.

had some tasty tacos on the way home. great to see you John! Let's not go so long next time. Thanks for driving JJ, glad we finally got this one off the list.
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  1 archive
Apr 11 2021
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 Guides 1
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68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Apr 11 2021
johnlpTriplogs 5,208
Hike & Climb8.32 Miles 2,515 AEG
Hike & Climb8.32 Miles   4 Hrs   2 Mns   2.14 mph
2,515 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
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fricknaley
JuanJaimeiii
JJ, Nick, and I were supposed to do this hike together on 3/24/13 but Nick got sick the night before. Eight years later, we were on. We met Nick along I-10 and all took the JJ-mobile to the trailhead. The new and improved JJ drove!
The first couple miles of this hike are pretty easy, then you have to work to get up top. The summit has been cleaned up. The only elephants were in the ammo box. Fun hike/scramble up with great views.
On the return we decided to check out the Quantrell Mine. Pretty cool but not as much to explore as we were hoping for.
Great to hike with Nick again and JJ per usual. :)
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“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Apr 11 2021
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 Routes 596
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58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Apr 11 2021
JuanJaimeiiiTriplogs 2,402
Hike & Climb8.32 Miles 2,515 AEG
Hike & Climb8.32 Miles   4 Hrs   2 Mns   2.14 mph
2,515 ft AEG
 
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fricknaley
johnlp
Fun hike with Dr. Frick and Mr. JLP. Nick and I have had this on the radar for quite sometime however we ran into a snag on our last attempt with a flat tire. No issues this trip. Our plan was to do Elephant Head and then Little Elephant Head but we switched up and went over to check out the Quantrell Mine after Elephant Head. Next time we will to the "Two Heads are better than one combo".

Good times with great company!
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Feb 08 2021
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72 female
 Joined Jan 21 2006
 Eagar AZ
Elephant Head - South ApproachTucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Hike & Climb avatar Feb 08 2021
azbackpackrTriplogs 883
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles 2,343 AEG
Hike & Climb6.20 Miles   7 Hrs   58 Mns   0.92 mph
2,343 ft AEG
 
1st trip
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I did this hike back in February, with two women friends who had done it many times. It's a great hike and climb, a really fun climb. Not too hard, not too easy. View from the top is amazing. Photos taken from a distance are by a friend who opted to wait for us (with a big camera) where the Elephant Head trail takes off from the easy part.

We saw a bald eagle soaring amongst the crags.

There was trickling water and a couple of small ponds where we crossed a drainage, not far below where you leave the main trail.

People like to leave little toy elephants up there. A Forest Service trail crew was in the area, and the ranger asked us to remove any we found, so we did. As I sit here in my home (RV) in Moab, the one I kept for myself is beside me on the table. Apparently there were way fewer than there used to be, because the FS has been asking people to remove them.
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There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.
  3 archives
Jan 16 2021
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male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Two Heads are better than One, AZ 
Two Heads are better than One, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 16 2021
DixieFlyerTriplogs 1,377
Hiking8.60 Miles 3,491 AEG
Hiking8.60 Miles
3,491 ft AEG
 
1st trip
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SecretMtnLover
SkyIslandHiker
You have one head for thinking,
One head for having fun.
I believe in that old saying,
Two heads are better than one.


I hiked up to Elephant Head last month, but did not hike to Little Elephant Head. I decided to go back down there and do both Heads this time!

We started from the TH is Agua Caliente Canyon, which is the south approach to Elephant Head. We did Elephant Head first, and then on the way back we hiked up to Little Elephant Head.

It was a fun scramble up to Elephant Head, and the views at the summit were great.

The hike up to Little Elephant Head was tougher than I thought that it would be, although part of that was just having done Elephant Head, and it was a sunny day that was much warmer than normal. There were 3-4 false summits on the way up to Little Elephant Head, so we'd have to gain some elevation, only to give some of it back. The views on Little Elephant Head were just as good as those on Elephant Head, so we enjoyed being at the summit. The air in Tucson seems much cleaner than in Phoenix, and the only place where we saw haze/smog was when looking down to Nogales.

I enjoyed this hike, although it was tougher than I thought that it would be.
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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
 
average hiking speed 1.93 mph
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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