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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Elephant Mountain (Andover), ME
Trails
Trails: Elephant Mountain Road, herd path, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, February 17, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Consolidated cars and parked along County Road at start of Elephant Mountain Road, since the latter was not plowed. Shoveled out a bit of the embankment since the road hadn't be plowed very wide since the last storm. A plow came by while we were away, though, and widened the road (and left a 2ft berm around our cars - not difficult to overcome). 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: N/A 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: N/A 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:
Bugs
Bugs:
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:
 
Comments
Comments: For most/all of the 11 of us in the group today, Elephant has become a joy to hike, especially in Winter. The mountain has a reputation for its sections of very thick growth, heading up pretty much straight from the traditional summer "trailhead." But based on some past experience and referrals, we headed right of that general route, which provides much more open woods, and some clearings that provide stunning views as far as Baldpate and even the Northern Whites (Madison + Adams) beyond. Bluebird sky day made these views stunning.

A solo hiker broke out the road ahead of us, and the lower half of the traditional herd path. We diverged more to the right of his track halfway up, though, to take the easier, more open route to the col between the higher Elephant peak and its slightly shorter sibling. The going was much easier than many of us have experienced, and we have a newfound love for this great mountain!

We all wore snowshoes the whole way. The road was a mix of powder and 1-2" ice crust (some breakable, some not). Depths up high ranged from 12-18" up to the 2-3' range up high.

Thanks to Amal, Chris, Douglas, Ken, Lynn, Mark, Michael, Mike, Mike, and Tabitha for sharing the trailbreaking duties, and making the overall experience an awesome, memorable one! Winter hiking of these lesser-known peaks is really the da bomb.  
Name
Name: Erik Bertrand 
E-Mail
E-Mail: erik@bertpc.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-02-17 
Link
Link: https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/0397dfbff010f1a62640ae7534379bcb2b7b4d69/?layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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