Benson Plateau Loop Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Herman Creek Trailhead
- End point: Benson Plateau
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Dogbone (Out to a loop and back)
- Distance: 16.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 4080 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: May-Oct
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
The Benson Plateau is an interesting flat-topped ridge south of the Columbia River Gorge. This hike explores the area.
From the Herman Creek Trailhead climb on the Herman Creek Trail through a powerline clearing to a junction with the Herman Creek Bridge Trail. Turn right and follow the "Bridge" Trail downhill less than half of a mile to the Herman Creek Bridge. From here, you'll climb almost 500 feet to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. (You could also start this hike at the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead, adding an extra 3 miles to the round-trip hike.)
Once on the Crest Trail, the climb continues. In the next 2.7 miles, you'll climb from 960 feet to about 3700 feet in elevation. At the 2000 feet level, you'll enter the Hatfield Wilderness Area. Interestingly, the wilderness boundary in this area is defined to be at the 2000 foot line. Close to the top you'll pass a helispot, where helicopters can/could land for emergency rescues. Nearby is a short side trail to Teakettle Spring.
Soon after this, the trail flattens out, finally on the summit of Benson Plateau. The plateau is a bit higher on the south end, but compared to what you've been tackling, any additional climbing is a cake walk. Continue south another mile and a half passed a junction with the Benson Way Trail to a junction with the Benson Ruckel Trail #405A.
Turn right and follow the Benson Ruckel Trail almost a mile to the Ruckel Creek-Benson Ruckel Trail Junction. The turn left and follow Ruckel Creek Trail about a half mile across the upper reaches of Ruckel Creek to a junction with the Benson Spur Trail. From here, you'll head south on the Benson Spur Trail to a junction with the Benson Way Trail.
When you turn right here, you'll be heading back north on the Benson Way Trail. This trail skirts the west side of the plateau offering occasional glimpses of Larch Mountain and other point to the west. It's 2.3 miles back to the Crest Trail. You'll cross the Ruckel Creek Trail again at Hunter's Camp. Once you arrive at the Crest Trail, it's an easy, if knee-killing trip back the way you came down to your car.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
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Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)