Old Ephraim (sometimes known as Old Three Toes due to a deformity in his foot)[1] was a large grizzly bear that roamed the mountains of Logan Canyon, Utah, in the early 20th century.
During his first summer in the Cache National Forest, Clark counted 154 adult domestic sheep that had been killed by bears in the area.
However, upon approaching the creek, he reportedly saw Old Ephraim standing on his hind legs, with a 23-pound bear trap on his paw and a 14-foot chain wrapped around his forelimb.
However, modern analysis of the bear's skull suggests he was closer to 7 feet, 6.5 inches tall and weighed approximately 550 pounds.
These stories have contributed to the myth of Old Ephraim as a larger-than-life figure, although more conservative estimates of his capabilities provide a more realistic view.
While most sources, including Clark's own accounts, place the event on August 22, 1923, some sources—including a 1928 retelling in Nature Magazine—suggest that Old Ephraim may have been killed as early as July 1922.
Old Ephraim’s reputation as an “outlaw animal” is similar to that of other notable predators, such as Lobo the King of Currumpaw and the last mountain lions of the West.
Designed, lettered, and erected by Max, Arthur, and Howard Jorgensen, the monument stands 11 feet tall, representing the height of the bear as reported in local stories.
— Nephi J. Bott[10][9] Old Ephraim's skull was exhumed by Logan Boy Scout Troop 43 a few months after his death and sent to the Smithsonian Institution for verification.
The exhibit features Old Ephraim's skull, Frank Clark's handwritten account of the encounter, and other artifacts related to the bear.
Old Ephraim’s legacy continues through the stories passed down by Cache Valley residents and the physical monument at his grave.