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12 miles of hiking • 1750' elevation gain •

Sunday Low Elevation Conditioner. No crowds, Some Hail. Never been up Eagle/Benson before, Climbed the first half mile or so, thinking of the Ruckel Ridge ascent to Eagle Benson drop and strolling Eagle Creek back to the trailhead. Anyone here done it?
Route finding on the Benson in 3.5ft of snow might suck.

Comments

Chris, Roman, and Kyle Meyer heart this trip.

Nat Turner
March 20, 2012

And I have never seen Kayaks at Punchbowl before. Imagine dragging that thing up there on a crowded day. I hope they made it ok, no signs of them three hours later.

Roman
March 21, 2012

Interesting old-photo effect. I'd give a lot to see firsthand the kayakers rafting by Punchbowl or Metlako Falls, but the other voice in me agrees that kayaking the EC waterfalls is too high-risk to go unregulated - don't want to see anyone injuired.

Nat Turner
March 31, 2012

Anyone know the name of the snow covered peak in the last photo?

Taken from the eagle/benson intersection. looking south towards Hood.

Dan Tomlin
April 15, 2012

We have called the Eagle Creek/Eagle Benson/Benson Plateau/Ruckel Creek route "The hike bordered by death" for almost two years now. Challenging. Bring a map. We did it in late June and there was enough snow on the Plateau to help us lose the trail and almost spend an unprepared night in the cold. That being said, can't wait to do it again. The climb from Eagle Creek to PCT is pretty rough...

Dan Tomlin
April 15, 2012

We have called the Eagle Creek/Eagle Benson/Benson Plateau/Ruckel Creek route "The hike bordered by death" for almost two years now. Challenging. Bring a map. We did it in late June and there was enough snow on the Plateau to help us lose the trail and almost spend an unprepared night in the cold. That being said, can't wait to do it again. The climb from Eagle Creek to PCT is pretty rough...