Roadside Attraction Old Ephraim's Grave
Logan Canyon
Overview
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Fri 80 | 52 |
Sat 78 | 55 |
Sun 79 | 53 |
Mon 82 | 54 |
Tue 82 | 57 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
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Fri 80 | 52 |
Sat 78 | 55 |
Sun 79 | 53 |
Mon 82 | 54 |
Tue 82 | 57 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
Beautiful fall colors at Old Ephraim's Grave
The grizzly bear known as Old Ephraim is legendary in the Cache Valley. The bear had a toe deformity and left distinctive tracks. During the early 1900’s, sheepherders were frustrated at the number of sheep killed by bears each year in the mountains. Frank Clark, a part owner of the Ward Clark Sheep Company, set out to kill the largest most well-known of the bears, Old Ephraim. For almost 10 years Clark made attempts to kill Old Ephraim. The bear evaded all traps and continued killing sheep.
Finally, in 1923, Clark caught Old Ephraim in a trap near his camp. When Clark heard roaring in the night, he went to investigate. The bear, caught in a trap Clark had placed, had pulled the stake holding the trap in place out of the ground and began charging Clark who shot the bear several times. Clark’s dog charged the bear as well, giving Clark a chance to escape. It must have been a harrowing scene.
In the morning, Clark found the bear dead, having finally succumbed to his wounds. Old Ephraim was skinned and buried. It was estimated that Old Ephraim was 10’ tall and weighed over 1,100 pounds! Clark, in later years, expressed remorse at having to kill the creature. Old Ephraim was later exhumed, and his skull sent to the Smithsonian Musem.
Today, a wooden sign marks the original location of the grave, with a newer monument placed across the road. Reaching the grave is usually done either as a long hike up Right Fork, mountain bike, or by rough dirt road. The description here is for the rough dirt road approach. On our visit the road was easily passable by any high clearance vehicle, though I would recommend a 4-wheel drive. The road is quite rough!
The base of the new Old Ephraim's monument.
Getting There
The adventure begins at Temple Fork in Logan Canyon. From Logan, go east up US-89 about 14.5 miles to Temple Fork on the right.
- Turn up Temple Fork and Reset Your Odometer ( 12T 450731E 4631675N / 41°50'08"N 111°35'36"W )
- 1.0 miles - Temple Fork Trailhead on the left. Stay right on FR-007. Once the road climbs up out of Temple Fork, there are many excellent primitive campsites. Stay on the main road. ( 12T 451951E 4630860N / 41°49'41"N 111°34'43"W )
- 4.7 miles - Side road on the right. Stay straight on the main road. ( 12T 453378E 4627492N / 41°47'53"N 111°33'40"W )
- 6.4 Lesser side road on the right. Stay straight. ( 12T 454153E 4626958N / 41°47'35"N 111°33'06"W )
- 7.0 miles - Major junction. Go right. ( 12T 455007E 4626923N / 41°47'34"N 111°32'29"W )
- 9.8 miles - Old Ephraim's Grave Parking ( 12T 454783E 4623705N / 41°45'50"N 111°32'38"W )
- Old Ephraim's Grave ( 12T 454794E 4623703N / 41°45'50"N 111°32'38"W )
- Return the same way, or follow the mileages below to exit via Right Fork
- 12.4 miles - Major junction, go right. ( 12T 453930E 4620451N / 41°44'04"N 111°33'14"W )
- 17.5 miles - Major junction. Go right, then. past a corral. ( 12T 448775E 4619549N / 41°43'34"N 111°36'57"W )
- 17.6 miles - Major junction. Go straight. The road begins descending into Right Fork. ( 12T 448676E 4619621N / 41°43'36"N 111°37'02"W )
- 22.7 miles - US-89 at Right Fork ( 12T 446744E 4625995N / 41°47'02"N 111°38'27"W )
Trailhead on a fall day.
Route
The monument is a short stroll from the parking area, complete with benches to sit and enjoy the area. Across the road from the new monument, a short trail visits the old wooden sign and original grave site.
Photos
Maps
| Old Ephraim's Grave |
12T 454795E 4623703N 41°45'50"N 111°32'38"W |