Elephant’s Head Trail
Located at the northern boundary of the Adirondacks in Malone, NY is a fun out-and-back trail with incredible views of Lake Titus. The trail is in the Malone Memorial Recreation Park just a few miles from Titus Mountain Family Ski Center. The Elephant’s Head Trail is good for families, dogs, or people looking for a quick day trip.
If you’re traveling from Malone, you head south on State Route 30 and you will see a DEC sign for the Titusville Mountain State Forest/Elephant Head Trailhead on the left side of the road. If you have a high clearance vehicle, you can drive 1.5 miles down this dirt/gravel access road to another small parking area next to the trailhead. If you've got a low clearance vehicle or your snowshoeing this trail in the winter when the gate is closed, you will have to park next to the gate and walk in the 1.5 miles to the official trailhead.
Once you’re at the trailhead you will pass through a few rocks and follow a clearly marked grassy trail. Trees will be marked with yellow trail markers. After 0.1 miles, there is a sign where the trail turns right and you begin climbing. The next 0.6 miles will consist of switchbacks that take you through the wooded park. Once you reach the wooden staircase, you’re essentially at the peak of the trail. At the top, you will walk another 200 feet to two large boulders, which mark the end of the trail. These boulders are also where you’ll find a fantastic view of Lake Titus, just over the top of the trees.
Trail Stats:
- Out-and-Back: About 1 mile round-trip from the trailhead
- Distance from Parking to Trailhead: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 551 feet
- Summit Elevation: 1980 feet
