California · Hiking

Elephant Knob

Elephant KnobPhoto: Klaus Eltrop, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.6 mi
round trip
274 ft
climb
4,613 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Elephant Knob open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sequoia National Forest. It doesn't name Elephant Knob, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Sequoia National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Elephant Knob is a moderate 3.6-mile out-and-back hike on natural trail surface in the Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest in California. The trail rises about 274 feet from a low point of 4,411 feet to a high of 4,613 feet, and it is managed by the Forest Service. Bikes and horses are both allowed, so the route works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Glennville show May highs around 72°F and October highs around 73°F, while July and August average highs near 89°F and winter brings frequent snow days. That station sits well below the knob, so temperatures up high run cooler. The trail is open year-round, and the closest neighbors are Bean Camp, about 1.3 miles away, and the Kern River Upper, about 2.6 miles off. Brush Creek and Limestone campgrounds, both under 3 miles away, offer places to stay.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Feb–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Elephant Knob

    Best months: February–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      57° / 28°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      57° / 30°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 32°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      64° / 35°

      6 wet

    5. May

      72° / 41°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 46°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 52°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 50°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 45°

      1 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 38°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 32°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 27°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Glennville, CA, 21.8 mi away at 3,140 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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