Calendar

Past Activity

Scott Mountain/Benson Lake

  • Start date: 08/08/2017

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 08/08/2017

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Starting from Scott Lake trailhead, we climb through the forest for 1.5 miles to admire beautiful Benson Lake. We'll then continue another mile or so to admire the Tenas Lakes before starting some switchbacks that lead to the top of Scott Mountain for lunch with a view of the Cascade peaks. We'll then head down through the forest, including a burned area and a lava flow, before reaching Hand Lake and completing the loop back to the trailhead. Some years, there are huckleberries by early August; other years, lots of mosquitoes--so be prepared for bugs, and hope for berries!

  • Event Leader: Sue Wolling

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-345-2110

  • Event Leader Email: sue.wolling@gmail.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: South Eugene High School, 19th & Patterson

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 120

  • Season: 2017

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Food, water, sun protection (there's very little shade at the lunch spot atop Scott Mountain), insect protection. The 1.5 mile gravel road from Highway 242 to the trailhead has some very large potholes--so if you have a vehicle that can handle a rough road, please offer to drive!

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 10

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1300

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Despite the likelihood of smoke and mosquitoes, our group of seven headed up to the Scott Mountain trailhead. We were pleased to see that the last mile of gravel road, which last year had potholes that could eat a Subaru for breakfast, had been recently graded and was in good shape. By doing the hike on a Tuesday, we avoided the mobs of parked cars that can overrun this trailhead/campground on the weekends, so we quickly parked and started our hike.

This wonderful, varied trail has some of everything: the sparkling blue of Benson and the Tenas Lakes, fields of wildflowers, a knock-out view of the Cascade Peaks from atop Scott Mountain, a short section through a burn with acres of fireweed, a walk alongside a lava flow--and yes, some smoke and some mosquitoes. We enjoyed all of it--and as a special treat, we shared the last section of trail with thousands of tiny frogs that we hope will grow up to eat lots of mosquitoes!