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Elephant Rocks
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5.7 Right of Two Cracks 
Clearasil Spattered Fantasies 
Crack left of Dumbo 
Dumbo 
Inside Corner left of Transcendental 
Tomb of the Unknown Homo 
Transcendental Disfiguration 
Trunk, The 
Two Finger Cracks 

Elephant Rocks

Submitted By: James M Schroeder on Dec 15, 2006
Administrators: Jay Knower, Chris treggE
Views: 491 page views

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BETA PHOTO: When you see this go to the cliff's edge (to your ...


Description 

Possibly the best roped climbing the North End has to offer is located at Elephant Rocks.

Is it named for the large boulder at the top of the cliff or the apparent elephant's head upon whose cheek Clearasil Spattered Fantasies (10b) lies? I've never been sure, maybe both.

Elephant Rocks contains two buttresses and the amphitheater between them. Routes will be described accordingly.


Getting There 

Actually fairly easy to find. Start at the North Shore parking areas and follow the East Bluff Trail uphill. Maybe a third of a mile from the trailhead you'll encounter an odd-looking sandstone boulder on you're right, just before a small cliff with a smaller cave, and an inside corner. Walk west between the Elephant Boulder and this small cliff. This will deposit you atop Elephant Rocks.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Elephant Rocks:
Tomb of the Unknown Homo   5.7     Trad, TR, 30 feet   
Two Finger Cracks   5.10a     Trad, TR, 1 pitch, 30 feet   
Clearasil Spattered Fantasies   5.10b     Trad, TR, 1 pitch, 30 feet   
Browse More Classics in Elephant Rocks

Photos of Elephant Rocks Slideshow Add Photo
Is this the Elephant?

Is this the Elephant?

Or is this the Elephant?

Or is this the Elephant?


Comments on Elephant Rocks Add Comment
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By Jay Knower
Administrator
From: Plymouth, NH
Dec 16, 2006

I always thought this area derived its name from an elephant-shaped boulder near the top of the wall.

Elephant rocks is a popular area for guided groups as the routes are short, not too exposed, and out of the way. There are some interesting climbs to the right (when looking at the cliff) of Elephant Rocks, one being Rainbow Crack, a surprisingly good 5.9 jam crack. Also good bouldering can be found in a radius around the cliff.

I would vote that the best roped climbing in this area can be found at Monolith Blocks, but that's just me.

By John W. Knoernschild
From: Wisconsin
Oct 1, 2009

In the main picture for this section, there is that big overhang. There are 2 cracks that go ground up in the overhang. Have they been done? If so, any idea on ratings? They look tuff and very cool.