Elevation: 3,772 feet (1,150 meters) Prominence: 2,060 feet (630 meters) Location: Andover (Township C), Maine (Oxford, County) Coordinates: 44°46'05" North     70°46'54" West Rating: Difficult due to the fact that there is no trail to the summit. But, on the other hand, for a bushwhack, this hike is relatively easy following an old logging road part of the way, and some herd path with little elevation gain. It usually takes roughly 3 hours up and back. Features: Bushwhack, Old logging roads, some herd path Elevation Gain: 1,140 feet Distance of highlighted hike below: Roughly 2.5 miles round trip (Depends on your bushwhack route though)

Elephant Mountain is a 3,772 foot mountain located in Andover, Maine in Oxford County, not to be confused with the other Elephant Mountain in Piscataquis County, Maine that stands at 2,650 feet tall.

Elephant Mountain is flanked to the Northeast by Bemis Mountain (3,581 feet) and to the Southeast by Old Blue Mountain (3,585 feet).

The Appalachian Trail runs along the base of Elephant Mountain and crosses over Elephant Mountain Road in Andover (Township C), Maine, which you can see when driving to the parking area to hike Elephant Mountain.

There is no trail to the summit of Elephant Mountain, so the only way to reach the summit is via a bushwhack. There are some herd paths to be seen on the mountain, and most people opt to begin on an old logging road at the end of Elephant Mountain Road.

Lists Elephant Mountain are on:	= A patch is available for this list
New England Hundred highest New England Hundred highest in Winter season New England Fifty Finest

The map below shows a suggested idea of how to get to the summit of Elephant Mountain. (Since there are no trails to the summit, you must bushwhack, so the map below is no an exact route.)

(NOTE: THIS IS A BUSHWHACK HIKE. THERE IS NO MAINTAINED TRAIL TO THE SUMMIT OF ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN, SO ONLY ATTEMPT THIS IF YOU ARE SMART WITH A NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND/OR KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.)

From the parking area (see driving directions below), hike up the hill that goes slightly left. This rough road is a continuation of Elephant Mountain Road. Hike on this old road until you come to an open field (see photo below). Walk across this field, aiming towards the left side. There is a cairn marking where to turn in the back left of the field. Turn left at the cairn. (You might see some colored tape [blue, yellow, orange] on some trees. Don't follow these. These are most likely used by hunters).

You might come to a marshy area. Most people opt to go across and to the right past it, still on somewhat of a path. You will soon find yourself in thicker brush for a short while, but the higher up you get, the more of a herd path you will see. The herd path is well defined the closer you get to the summit.

Click to download PDF Trail Map of Elephant Mountain.

Moose on Elephant Mountain Road on October 19, 2014.

The parking area on Elephant Mountain Road on October 19, 2014. (just before the hill that goes up to the left).

The old logging road is easy to see October 19, 2014.

The field you will see after hiking on the logging road. The arrow is pointing to a cairn that you can't see in the photo, but indicates to turn left once you reach it. On October 19, 2014.

A close-up of that cairn. On October 19, 2014.

Thick parts of the bushwhack up to Elephant Mountain, on October 19, 2014.

Some very well-defined herd path close to the summit of Elephant Mountain. On October 19, 2014.

Summit canister and sign (and spatula!) on Elephant Mountain. On October 19, 2014.

Some views from the old logging road. On October 19, 2014.

If you have a GPS, you can enter Elephant Mountain Road in Andover, Maine. This is a rocky dirt road [and has no street sign as of October 2014]. Bear left at roughly 0.4 miles. Then turn right in another 0.7 miles. Roughly 3 miles from South Arm Road the road will dip down - this is where you park (it is right before a hill that curves to the left. See photo above.)

From the South: Follow Route 5 to its Northern Terminus in Andover, Maine and turn right (East) onto Route 120. Quickly cross a bridge over the Ellis River and turn left (North) onto South Arm Road, about 0.6 miles from the intersection of 5 and 120. Continue North on South Arm Road for just about 10 miles. (You will pass the Appalachian Trail crossing at roughly 7.5 miles - but you may miss it, because it is not well marked). After crossing Clear Water Brook turn right onto Elephant Mountain Road. This is a rocky dirt road [and has no street sign as of October 2014]. Bear left at roughly 0.4 miles. Then turn right in another 0.7 miles. Roughly 3 miles from South Arm Road the road will dip down - this is where you park (it is right before a hill that curves to the left. See photo above.)

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