The Elephant Rock is located in a region where there are about a dozen pinnacles, vertical rock castles, odd thin rock fingers, and steep rock knolls of varying sizes throughout the area. Elephant Rock is the third of a series of three rock scarps on the south side of Tumble Lake. The lowest in this 'triad' is Elephant Rock, an aptly named rock scarp that practically leans over the lake. The 'elephant' shape looks realistic when seen from uphill near Tumble Rock, but the double-humped shape as when seen from Detroit Lake is the upper rock outcrop (Tumble Rock).

This area provides off-trail adventure scrambling (and technical leading) on grainy textured, very mossy, well-weathered rounded hump-shaped massifs of a mostly junk choss and flaky rock. From the uphill side it is quite apparent how it attained its name with the rounded head, an indented eye-like formation, and a large shoulder for a summit (see photo). In short, the summits along Hall Ridge are definitely “scramble with care” adventurous outings on unique formations with great views.

For Directions and Beta: see the Santiam Climbing chapter in the Northwest Oregon Rock guidebook.

One very old guidebook details a minor bit about this site (primarily historical reference): A Climbing Guide to Oregon, by Nick Dodge (print date 1973)

Services: The nearest gas station is in Detroit Lake, Oregon.

Amenities: The tiny community of Detroit Lake has it all and is very popular during the summer months. Basic restaurant, minor grocery store, fast-food eatery, fishing, boating, and nearby campgrounds.

Camping: Two very popular campgrounds (often booked), one is Lakeshore CG, and the other is Upper Arm CG. Both are about 1 mile from town. Hoover CG on the south shore of the lake is a third option. There are numerous roadside free camping options (the closest ones to the lake are often crowded) especially 1-2 miles away from the lake.

Administrative Agency: This region is managed by Detroit Ranger District, Detroit, Oregon 97342, 503-854-3366

Seasonal Factors: Access is limited to July-October usually. The primary highway is open all year, but this region gets plenty of snow in the winter.

Climbing Precautions: Wear a helmet and know how to use pitons.

Road access conditions: Paved road to Detroit Lake, and paved for the first 3 miles on the NF road, then maintained NF gravel roads to Knutson Saddle. From there the road gets less attention but is not poor.

photo credits courtesy of KH.