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Elephant Head

Wyoming > Wind River Range > Titcomb Basin Area

Description

The appeal of this lesser peak is its ease of access (either from Island Lake or a camp in Indian Basin), simplicity of descent, and shorter routes for those less committing days in the mountains. The north side of the peak offers a variety of 2-6 pitch rock routes from 5.2 - 5.8. The most striking feature of the peak is its Northwest Buttress, a narrow fin of rock.

Rock climbs here will likely happen here in the summer to early fall. There's some fun climbing on this peak, but it's all low angle so you can expect to find a bit of loose rock.

Summit structures visible from Island Lake have earned this formation the nickname of Cairn Peak, but the USGS maps and Kelsey's guide use Elephant Head.

Getting There

Approach is via the Elkhart Park trailhead near Pinedale, Wyoming. It's about 12 miles to Island Lake, or you could climb it from a camp in Indian Basin.

Routes from Left to Right

5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 10
Northwest Buttress
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 2
West-Northwest Face
Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Northwest Buttress
 10
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, Alpine 6 pitches
West-Northwest Face
 2
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, Alpine 6 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Sunset on Elephant Head
[Hide Photo] Sunset on Elephant Head
Elephant Head, showing the north side.  The Northwest Buttress follows the ramping rib of rock on the right side of the photo.
[Hide Photo] Elephant Head, showing the north side. The Northwest Buttress follows the ramping rib of rock on the right side of the photo.