Decon - Mar 20, 2024 1:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2022
fun double peak day
super fun hike with great friends on a wonderful day, who could ask for more.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 9, 2017 4:10 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2001
well shit
Another hacked and deleted summitlog. Have done this one at least 3 times. 6/30/01 as part of Elk/Kings traverse solo, another time can't remember the date, and then another Elk/Kings traverse with Sue Giordano on 3/29/15. Again on Elk-Kings Traverse 1/26/19.
We did the traverse from King's to Elk, and it made for a great workout.
greglief - Aug 4, 2013 8:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2013
Short but steep
I hiked/climbed up as the start of the Elk/Kings Traverse. I am glad that I did this counter-clockwise... I would not want to come down this way! Wonderful views, especially east to Mount Hood, and lots of beargrass on the trail beyond the summit.
nicozone - Apr 20, 2012 10:08 am Date Climbed: Apr 23, 2011
Mazama BCEP Hike
I hiked to the top as part of a conditioning hike with the Mazamas Basic Climber Education Program (BCEP) class.
MattBrown11 - May 6, 2011 10:21 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2011
elk
Nice trip. Steep, gonna sleep good tonight.
Rutabagas - Sep 5, 2010 4:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
Mickey O
A very satisfying solo hike in perfect conditions: partly cloudy and warm, with a light breeze up top. As on Kings Mtn., the summit block is a delight, with steep dropoffs and great views. Despite the low elevation, you feel like you climbed a real mountain. I'd hesitate to do Elk or Kings in wet or (especially) snowy weather. The trail up Elk was apparently built before the invention of switchbacks.
oxalis - Nov 12, 2008 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2008
Route Climbed: Elk Creek Camp to Wilson River to Kings Mtn. to Elk Mtn. to Elk Creek Campground
A friend and I hiked from the Elk Creek campground down the bland Wilson River trail, then up to Kings Mountain, across to Elk Mountain, and down the Elk Mountain trail to return. The weather was mild at 1000', but gusty and extremely wet at summit/ridge level. Visibility was around 100' at the higher points so there were no views to speak of, but the weather itself was nice scenery. Plenty of steep sections in either direction, and some fun little rock scrambles, too--I would think twice before trying the Kings-Elk traverse under too snowy of conditions.
This hike took just shy of six hours with the occasional sit-down included.
This has to be the steepest official trail in the state. Great fun and a good workout.
lalpinist - May 19, 2008 6:44 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2008
Still Some Snow
Did this "in reverse" from Kings. Beautiful warm day, but still a fair amount of mature snow on the northern slopes. Didn't use the snowshoes we carried, but our boots got wet.
Levi - Apr 9, 2008 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Apr 4, 2008
Unexpected Snow...
Took the day off to try and get back into shape. Got to the trail head and we were dissapointed because the rain came in. Once at 1500 feet it went from rain to snow. The summit had knee deep snow and there were snow drifts waist deep. Of course, we left the snow shoes in the car. Great hike took 5 hours round trip.
APRIL 12, 2008
Once Dad got off work we jumped in the car and headed straight for the trailhead. At about 2000' we branched off the trail and went up through the brush. Got to the summit at 7 and back to the car at 8. Almost no snow left, what a difference a week can make.
Went with(then)8 year old son, sunny day. Some snow near top,1-2 inches. Also did the Elk-Kings traverse solo in 1988. Add another ascent December 2006, about 7" of snow at the summit.
hiway99w - Jun 29, 2006 3:32 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2006
Elk Mountain Trail
Beautiful day and great views all the way up but what a work out! I can't emphasize enough the importance of adequate water. I misjudged, ran out, and became badly dehydrated 2/3 of the way back down.
OJ Loenneker - Jun 17, 2006 7:43 am Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2006
Rainy and wet
Pretty steep, and slick from the rain. Was gonna do the loop, but decided to do both peaks seperately.
Mr. Clam - May 2, 2006 12:08 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2006
Route Climbed: King - Elk Loop
Perfect weather made for great views. The loop trail is really fun with some class 3 "shortcuts".
Aeldrin - Apr 24, 2006 2:10 am Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2003
Route Climbed: Elk Kings Loop
Climbed this the same day as I went up King's Mountain. It is really nice to do the two peaks together. Wish I had done more in that area, but regardless, I enjoyed the time I spent in that region.
rangermike - Mar 31, 2006 4:44 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2006
Elk Mtn. Trail- Elk creek trail
Great hike up into the clouds! After the summit, we came down the back side to follow the elk creek trail back to the parking lot. Hard going- surprised to see upwards of 4' of snow! Eventually lost the trail, and bushwacked down into the elk creek drainage. Crazy terrain, but did see a bulldozer wrecked in the creek and a huge cross/ memorial on the hillside above the creek. It would be cool to find out more about those.....
Decon - Mar 20, 2024 1:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2022
fun double peak daysuper fun hike with great friends on a wonderful day, who could ask for more.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 9, 2017 4:10 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2001
well shitAnother hacked and deleted summitlog. Have done this one at least 3 times. 6/30/01 as part of Elk/Kings traverse solo, another time can't remember the date, and then another Elk/Kings traverse with Sue Giordano on 3/29/15. Again on Elk-Kings Traverse 1/26/19.
bellinghamclimber - Jan 21, 2014 1:23 am Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2014
good combo with King's MtWe did the traverse from King's to Elk, and it made for a great workout.
greglief - Aug 4, 2013 8:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2013
Short but steepI hiked/climbed up as the start of the Elk/Kings Traverse. I am glad that I did this counter-clockwise... I would not want to come down this way! Wonderful views, especially east to Mount Hood, and lots of beargrass on the trail beyond the summit.
nicozone - Apr 20, 2012 10:08 am Date Climbed: Apr 23, 2011
Mazama BCEP HikeI hiked to the top as part of a conditioning hike with the Mazamas Basic Climber Education Program (BCEP) class.
MattBrown11 - May 6, 2011 10:21 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2011
elkNice trip. Steep, gonna sleep good tonight.
Rutabagas - Sep 5, 2010 4:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
Mickey OA very satisfying solo hike in perfect conditions: partly cloudy and warm, with a light breeze up top. As on Kings Mtn., the summit block is a delight, with steep dropoffs and great views. Despite the low elevation, you feel like you climbed a real mountain. I'd hesitate to do Elk or Kings in wet or (especially) snowy weather. The trail up Elk was apparently built before the invention of switchbacks.
oxalis - Nov 12, 2008 5:01 pm Date Climbed: Nov 11, 2008
Route Climbed: Elk Creek Camp to Wilson River to Kings Mtn. to Elk Mtn. to Elk Creek CampgroundA friend and I hiked from the Elk Creek campground down the bland Wilson River trail, then up to Kings Mountain, across to Elk Mountain, and down the Elk Mountain trail to return. The weather was mild at 1000', but gusty and extremely wet at summit/ridge level. Visibility was around 100' at the higher points so there were no views to speak of, but the weather itself was nice scenery. Plenty of steep sections in either direction, and some fun little rock scrambles, too--I would think twice before trying the Kings-Elk traverse under too snowy of conditions.
This hike took just shy of six hours with the occasional sit-down included.
BCJ - Aug 31, 2008 5:09 am
SteepThis has to be the steepest official trail in the state. Great fun and a good workout.
lalpinist - May 19, 2008 6:44 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2008
Still Some SnowDid this "in reverse" from Kings. Beautiful warm day, but still a fair amount of mature snow on the northern slopes. Didn't use the snowshoes we carried, but our boots got wet.
Levi - Apr 9, 2008 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Apr 4, 2008
Unexpected Snow...Took the day off to try and get back into shape. Got to the trail head and we were dissapointed because the rain came in. Once at 1500 feet it went from rain to snow. The summit had knee deep snow and there were snow drifts waist deep. Of course, we left the snow shoes in the car. Great hike took 5 hours round trip.
APRIL 12, 2008
Once Dad got off work we jumped in the car and headed straight for the trailhead. At about 2000' we branched off the trail and went up through the brush. Got to the summit at 7 and back to the car at 8. Almost no snow left, what a difference a week can make.
YEM - Aug 22, 2007 1:24 am
Elk/Kings LoopA steep and enjoyable conditioning hike with some good views of the Coast Range.
BSPclimber - Aug 2, 2006 4:55 am
Elk Mtn. Date climbed: March 2000Went with(then)8 year old son, sunny day. Some snow near top,1-2 inches. Also did the Elk-Kings traverse solo in 1988. Add another ascent December 2006, about 7" of snow at the summit.
hiway99w - Jun 29, 2006 3:32 am Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2006
Elk Mountain TrailBeautiful day and great views all the way up but what a work out! I can't emphasize enough the importance of adequate water. I misjudged, ran out, and became badly dehydrated 2/3 of the way back down.
OJ Loenneker - Jun 17, 2006 7:43 am Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2006
Rainy and wetPretty steep, and slick from the rain. Was gonna do the loop, but decided to do both peaks seperately.
Mr. Clam - May 2, 2006 12:08 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2006
Route Climbed: King - Elk LoopPerfect weather made for great views. The loop trail is really fun with some class 3 "shortcuts".
Aeldrin - Apr 24, 2006 2:10 am Date Climbed: Apr 5, 2003
Route Climbed: Elk Kings LoopClimbed this the same day as I went up King's Mountain. It is really nice to do the two peaks together. Wish I had done more in that area, but regardless, I enjoyed the time I spent in that region.
rangermike - Mar 31, 2006 4:44 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2006
Elk Mtn. Trail- Elk creek trailGreat hike up into the clouds! After the summit, we came down the back side to follow the elk creek trail back to the parking lot. Hard going- surprised to see upwards of 4' of snow! Eventually lost the trail, and bushwacked down into the elk creek drainage. Crazy terrain, but did see a bulldozer wrecked in the creek and a huge cross/ memorial on the hillside above the creek. It would be cool to find out more about those.....
Infected Mushroom - Mar 30, 2006 3:59 am Date Climbed: Mar 23, 2006
Elk mtn trailSummited with SPer Mr. Clam. Weather could have been better. A proud summit in the Oregon coast range.
Mr. Clam - Mar 25, 2006 2:51 am Date Climbed: Mar 23, 2006
Route Climbed: Elk Mtn trailA nice short steep hike, strong winds and rain at the summit. I will defenently come back to do the whole loop.