California · Hiking · Carson-Iceberg Wilderness · Near Bear Valley

Elephant Rock

Elephant RockPhoto: wiskinator, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.2 mi
round trip
508 ft
climb
7,224 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Elephant Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Elephant Rock is a 5.2-mile out-and-back hike in California's Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, within the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest. The trail climbs from about 6,900 feet to 7,224 feet, a gain of 508 feet, and is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surfaced and allows horses, but not bikes. It works well as a day trip from the surrounding campgrounds and trailheads, which sit within a mile of the trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. Nearby, Duck Lake Bypass and the Silver Valley to Lakeshore Connector are both about half a mile away. (Lake Alpine) Silver Valley Campground and Lake Alpine Recreation Area are each about 0.6 to 0.8 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    (lake Alpine) Silver Valley Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Elephant Rock

    Best months: May–October. 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

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 35.1 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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