Saturday, cloudy and partially sunny. 17 total, 4 cars, ~16 miles, ~4600' accumulation. Lou is the host of today's hike. He's 71 years old, and is in much better shape than I am!
Eagle-Benson-Ruckle loop. Only saw a little bit of snow. This winter has been warm.
We parked at the hatchery. Follow Eagle Creek trail 440 for 5.3 miles to the junction with the Eagle Benson trail 434 at about 1,000' (easy to miss). This 5.3 miles is a delight: narrow gorge, green moss, many waterfalls.
Just at Wy'east Fall, we went straight up (left) on Eagle Benson trail: 3000' in 3 miles to Camp Smokey on the PCT. On the way, passed some burnt trees, and many blown down for you to duck under or stride across. For awhile it was on a ridge, with occasional views.
Before dipping lower to Camp Smokey, we stopped at a high point with some sun and view. It's small, hard to accommodate all 17 of us. I filled some water at a creek just before reaching the camp. It had no view, and no sun, half of the people got cold. Right after the last 2 caught up, we continued.
Turn north here and follow the PCT for .4 mile to a junction with the Benson Way trail 405B, to the left. This is, again, easy to miss. Follow Benson Way trail on the west side of the plateau for 1.8 miles to Hunters Camp and the junction with the Ruckel Creek trail 405. 4.5 miles and ~3600' down on Ruckel Creek trail to its start at the Gorge trail 400 (by the Old Historical Hwy).
The top 3 miles are boring, completely in trees. Occasionally a few big trees. On the way, we saw some Indian pits, and soon after, half of us made a stop at a sunny slope with a view to the gorge. The last bit is a short walk on the road, and checking out the salmon hatchlings in the pont.
We parked at the hatchery. Follow Eagle Creek trail 440 for 5.3 miles to the junction with the Eagle Benson trail 434 at about 1,000' (easy to miss). This 5.3 miles is a delight: narrow gorge, green moss, many waterfalls. 
Just at Wy'east Fall, we went straight up (left) on Eagle Benson trail: 3000' in 3 miles to Camp Smokey on the PCT. On the way, passed some burnt trees, and many blown down for you to duck under or stride across. For awhile it was on a ridge, with occasional views. 
Before dipping lower to Camp Smokey, we stopped at a high point with some sun and view. It's small, hard to accommodate all 17 of us. I filled some water at a creek just before reaching the camp. It had no view, and no sun, half of the people got cold. Right after the last 2 caught up, we continued. 
Turn north here and follow the PCT for .4 mile to a junction with the Benson Way trail 405B, to the left. This is, again, easy to miss. Follow Benson Way trail on the west side of the plateau for 1.8 miles to Hunters Camp and the junction with the Ruckel Creek trail 405. 4.5 miles and ~3600' down on Ruckel Creek trail to its start at the Gorge trail 400 (by the Old Historical Hwy). 
The top 3 miles are boring, completely in trees. Occasionally a few big trees. On the way, we saw some Indian pits, and soon after, half of us made a stop at a sunny slope with a view to the gorge. The last bit is a short walk on the road, and checking out the salmon hatchlings in the pont.
