Old Ephraim Bear

For a dozen years a three-toed grizzly the size of a nightmare — nearly ten feet standing, better than a thousand pounds — ruled the high country above Logan and helped himself to the sheep. Old Ephraim was too clever for every trap the herder Frank Clark set, until one August night in 1923 he wasn't. Clark won the duel with seven shots and spent the rest of his life regretting it; he never killed another bear. Boy Scouts raised a stone monument, cut to the bear's own towering height, over the grave where he fell.

What the plaque says

In memoriam This rugged four and one half ton native stone is symbolic of a giant grizzly bear called Old Ephraim who ranged this area for many years killing sheep, cattle, and game; and was trapped, shot, and buried near here Aug. 1923 by Frank Clark of Malad, Idaho. Standing upright he equaled the height of this monument (9 ft. 11 in.) and weighed about 1100 lbs. Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C. has his skull. Erected by local Scouts and Scouters Aug. 22, 1966 Old Ephraim, Old Ephraim, your deeds were so wrong Yet we build you this marker and sing you this song. To the king of the forest so mighty and tall, We salute you, Old Ephraim the king of them all. Nephi J. Bott

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Jardine Juniper — 5.5 mi
  One of the oldest living trees in the world at over 1,500 years old
• Logan Canyon — 5.6 mi
  A winding National Scenic Byway through limestone cliffs and alpine forest
• Wind Cave Trail — 6.1 mi
  A short hike to a triple-arched limestone cave overlooking the canyon
• Tony Grove Lake — 10 mi
  A glacial alpine lake at 8,100 feet surrounded by wildflower meadows

More markers nearby

• Temple Fork Sawmill — 5.6 mi
• James Smyth — 11 mi
• Fur Traders Rendezvous — 11 mi
• Major Irrigation Canals Constructed in Cache Valley — 13 mi