Justin Wright went hiking May 14, 2011 16 miles 4,000 feet gained

Ruckel Ridge to Eagle Creek

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Went up the Ruckel Ridge trail, across the Benson plateau to Camp Smokey, and then down to Eagle Creek. Still plenty of snow on the plateau so I snowshoed that section.

BY FAR the hardest hike I've done in my life...

Trail Talk

Eric Peterson · May 16, 2011

Try Rock of Ages, it seemed even harder to me than RR, not sure why since RR is more gain, IIRC. You're killin' the Gorge man! :)

Justin Wright · May 16, 2011

Yeah I've heard the Rock of Ages is another tough hike, need to get up there sometime. Based on how sore I am today, I think the Gorge might kill me :)

Eric Peterson · May 17, 2011

I have to say you've inspired me a bit, been trying to get in about 2500 to 3000 feet a week, but looks like I need to do a Larch mountain or a Defiance just to keep up with Kyles 'Most Up Hill' list! Well, to just stay in the top 10 at least, maybe Kyle should increase it to top 20, so we can all rest up a bit :D

Allison · May 17, 2011

How was the wayfinding up on Benson?

Justin Wright · May 17, 2011

It was pretty tough to find the trail along Benson. We used our GPS and tried to follow it as best we could until we hit the junction to head back down to Eagle Creek. We were looking for the PCT but couldn't even find it. Stupid snow...