Benson Plateau Climber's Log

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OJ Loenneker

OJ Loenneker - Jul 5, 2008 8:35 pm

Fun Times  Sucess!

Ruckle ridge is one of the best trails in the gorge, and I always have a good time on Benson Plateau getting lost in the snow... I find myself doing that trail/scramble several times a year.

YEM

YEM - Aug 22, 2007 1:44 am

PCT and Ruckel Ridge

Hardly a mountain, but there are a few good viewpoints reached through the bush once on top. The unmaintained Ruckel Ridge route is the best part of this area of the gorge.

Brian Jenkins

Brian Jenkins - Oct 14, 2006 6:39 am

A lot  Sucess!

Have done Ruckel many times up to Benson Plateau. One of my favorite winter workouts.

LCannon

LCannon - Mar 21, 2006 2:35 am

Date Climbed: 1989  Sucess!

My husband and I backpacked up the Benson Plateau in 1989. We started at the Herman Creek Campground, and hiked up the Pacific Crest Trail after the Herman Creek trail joins it. We hiked up the eastern edge and across the top of the Plateau to camp on the western edge. We were supposed to decend the next day down the Ruckle Creek trail, and followed some blazes in the trees for several miles before they disappeared. Not wanting to retrace our steps back up with our packs on our backs, we started bushwacking downhill at a very steep grade. We found a dead end to the east where there were some cliffs, and finally found a small creek, which we followed down and down and down hoping we'd figure out where we were eventually. At the very least we knew we'd run into the Columbia River and then we'd know where we were, which is what happened, the creek led to an old farmhouse in Cascade Locks, walked 2 blocks to a friends house and got a ride to our car. Quite and adventure. Since then I've heard stories about how easy it is to get lost on the Ruckle Creek/Ridge loop trails system.

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