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Elephant Knob Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Elephant Knob

L › R R › L A › Z

	A Niche in Time T 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Amnesia T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	An Elephant Never Forgets T 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b PG13
	Babar T 5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b R
	Baby Elephant Walk T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
	Big Floppy Ears (a.k.a. Roland's Route) T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
	Bwana T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Celeste T 5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Dumbo T 5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
	E.C.'s Flying Circus T A3+
	Elephant Man T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Elephant Walk T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b X
	Elephantiasis T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Jungle Book T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Mouse Dance T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Mumbo Jumbo T 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
	Near Perfect Memory T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Perfect Memory T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Squeek Chute T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Tusk, The T 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Wild Kingdom T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13

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Elevation:	5,100 ft
GPS:	35.99762, -118.51264 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	9,031 total · 45/month
Shared By:	Matthew Fienup on Jul 26, 2006
Admins:	Cory B, Matthew Fienup, Muscrat, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

Description

The longtime home to several fine moderate routes in the 1-3 pitch range and once a popular destination for instructors from the nearby scout camp, Elephant Knob suffered significant damage in a 2002 wildfire. Despit now-sketchy rock and fixed gear, the area is still home to a very fine swimming hole with waterfall, several small water slides and moderate bouldering along the creek.

The McNally fire, which burned more than 150,000 acres in the surrounding area burned up and over Elephant Knob. Trees and rappel slings more than 100 feet off the ground were burned. The intense heat of the fire did significant damage to the rock itself. A 1/4 to 1/2" thick skin of granite exfoliated from much of the dome and clung perilously to the walls. As of 2004, much of this "skin" had still not fallen off and posed a serious threat to prospective climbers. An exploritory trip up "Elephantiasis" produced substantial rockfall, with much material still waiting to come down.

PLEASE POST UPDATES TO THE CONDITIONS AT ELEPHANT KNOB AS THEY CHANGE.

Getting There

Elephant Knob is located on the lower Kern River Road (aka 22S82), approximately 1.5 past the Scout Camp. It is best approached by turning off of 22S82 onto 22S53--drive down the dirt road, park and hike up to the formation. Alternately, it is possible to park in a turnout at the 22S82/22S53 intersection and hike around the western side of the formation, but be very careful not to wander onto the closely-watched private property of the neighboring ranch.