Mount Elmer

Mount Elmer is one of the Seven Sisters of the Bear River Mountain Range. It is also one of the highest of the Seven Sisters. Mount Elmer is easily accessed through Green Canyon just east of North Logan. It enters the Mount Naomi Wilderness.

This hike has terrific views of the entire range as you approach the summit. Even on the way up, you will get views of Logan Peak, Beirdneau Peak, and Mount Jardine. The elevation gain rarely gives up. It is a rather constant gain that actually keeps a good pace. Once you approach the higher portions of the hike, you will start to get views to the east towards Bear Lake (although difficult to see). You will traverse through the denser canyon forest of Douglas fir, junipers, and aspens. As you climb, you follow an old river bed with heavy stones scattered throughout. The denser forest will give way to higher elevation junipers that get increasingly more sparse. There is a natural spring that dumps into a small trough. You can drink from this if you would like but you should still filter if you can.

In the Fall, the aspen groves pop bright yellow and scatter the landscape. You eventually reach a false summit that gives way to a large rocky outcropping that faces East. By now, Mount Elmer is in sight to the North. You traverse along the base of the cliff to get around it. But here you must watch your step as the trail is thin and the footing is not great. Once around the cliff, you reach a ridge that has views to both sides of you. From here you can see Cache Valley to the West and the majority of the Bear Rivers to your East. Mount Elmer is directly in front of you. As you approach, the trail seems to disappear as it turns into steep rocks. There are some rock cairns that seem to light the way. Any route to the top is viable as long as you feel safe doing so. It is best however to approach from the south face and switchback up from there. Once on the summit, you will have 360 degree views. This includes Mount Naomi, Cherry Peak, Doubletop Mountain, Mount Jardine, Mount Gog, and Mount Magog. 

In the Winter, the gates are closed and the road is converted into a cross-country ski track and the single track for mountain biking is used for fat tire bikes and snowshoeing. If you plan on climbing Mount Elmer in Winter, it is doable but you must start at the mouth of Green Canyon and that will add an extra 4.5 miles at the beginning and end.