Olympic National Park is home to the largest unmanaged herd of Roosevelt elk in the Pacific Northwest. Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, they are North America's largest variety of elk. It is ironic that none are now found in the area of Elk Mountain. As for the mountain's name origin: According to a 1984 field guide:There is a story told that in 1890, William Wooding, a local homesteader, along with some friends, slaughtered 15-20 elk at this spot, leaving their carcasses to decay in the woods. Upon returning to civilization, Wooding made the mistake of bragging about the episode. He and his friends were promptly ordered by the authorities to return to the site and carry out the dead elk.