15 miles of hiking • 4000' elevation gain •
Hike was great to start with, Eagle Creek is a gentle climb, We took the Benson trail about 5 miles up Eagle Creek. The Benson Trail is very steep, lots of tree across the trail require lots of climbing over. Some wonderful views of the canon, and then later of the Eagle Creek bowl. After about 2.7 miles we had reach the Benson Plato, coming from the south along the PCT. We found a lot of snow at 4000ft, very compressed about 2ft thick, this made staying on the path difficult. but we would find the path in the clear areas. The Benson Plato is about 3 miles long.
We reached the Ruckler Creek Trail after 2.7 miles of wondering around the plato. By this time I was very very tied, and the next was a tough walk, pretty much all down hill, and with 10 miles already hike, it was when I released I was in the suck, and I need to brace the suck. This downward hike took way too long, but we managed, because really there is no other choice, but to put one foot in front of the other, about 2 miles from the end I had ran out of water, with no water source near by to replenish.
Great Hike, good endurance test.
Comments
Muno Hardy
June 20, 2011
Thanks, it was a good climb, during the last section, I never wanted to hike again (guess we have to fight against ourselves to win), but now I cannot wait to get back out there.
Eric Peterson
June 18, 2011
Nice going up the Benson Cut Off trail! I've only been down that once and that baby is steep which is great for getting up FAST, mileage wise, to the Benson Plateau... Very nice :)