Old Ephraim: The Legendary Grizzly of the Bear River Range, an exhibit housed in Utah State University Libraries' Special Collections & Archives, explores the story of a famous bear that once roamed the mountains of northern Utah. The display features Old Ephraim's skull, a digitized version of which can be viewed or downloaded below. The skull is accompanied by written and visual material, also available below, including a didactic panel, booklet, trifold pamphlet, directions to the bear's grave, and a life-size cutout of the grizzly. Additional content, including an expanded history of the Old Ephraim legend, can be found in the digital exhibit, located at http://exhibits.usu.edu/exhibits/show/oldephraim.
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Grave Wayfinder: Visit Old Ephraim's Grave
Alyson Griggs, Clint Pumphrey, and Shay Larsen
Hiking directions to Old Ephraim's Grave.
This loop hike takes you to Old Ephraim's grave via the Willow Creek Trail, Ephraim's Cutoff Trail, Long Hollow Road (FR 056), Steel Hollow Trail, and Rick's Canyon Trail. The total distance is 11.75 miles from the Right Hand Fork trailhead, and the hike takes 6 to 7 hours plus breaks. It can be hiked from late spring to early fall. There is no cell service along the route.
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Old Ephraim Booklet: The Legendary Grizzly of the Bear River Range
Alyson Griggs, Clint Pumphrey, and Shay Larsen
The story of Old Ephraim has circulated since the early twentieth century, when the legendary grizzly preyed upon sheep grazing in the Bear River Range. Frustrated herders, hoping to limit losses to their flocks, pursued the elusive bear, but he remained largely unseen and unheard for many years. The only trace of Old Ephraim was his distinctive tracks, which exhibited only three toes on one foot—hence the nickname, “Old Three Toes.” In August 1922, after attempting for more than nine years, sheepherder Frank Clark finally trapped and killed Old Ephraim.
Nearly a century later, the story of Old Ephraim has been told and retold. While many aspects of the story remain the same, parts have become exaggerated to the point that some believe the legend is only a fantastical campfire story. But Old Ephraim was real, and his skull, on display in Utah State University's (USU) Special Collections & Archives, is a tangible connection to the legend. This overview traces the legend from its roots, examining the era when Old Ephraim roamed, the stories of his death, and the saga of his skull, separating fact from fiction as we remember the legendary grizzly of the Bear River Range.
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Old Ephraim Didactic
Alyson Griggs, Clint Pumphrey, and Shay Larsen
- Who was Old Ephraim?
- Who was Frank Clark?
- Why was he called Old Ephraim?
- How big was he?
- Why is the skull damaged?
- How did the skull end up at USU?
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Old Ephraim Trifold Pamphlet: The Legendary Grizzly of the Bear River Range
Alyson Griggs, Clint Pumphrey, and Shay Larsen
- Why was he called Old Ephraim?
- How big was he?
- Where did he die?
- When did he die?
- Was Old Ephraim the last grizzly bear in Utah?
- What happened to the skull?
- Who was Old Ephraim?
- Who was Frank Clark?
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Old Ephraim Cutout
Shay Larsen
This is a printable cutout of Old Ephraim with his height marked in feet.
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Old Ephraim Skull 3D Model
Gary Egbert
This is a 3D model of Old Ephraim's skull using Sketchfab. You can view by downloading the file or clicking on this link.