Calendar

Past Activity

Scott Mountain/Benson Lake

  • Start date: 07/31/2019

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 07/31/2019

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

This is a varied trail, climbing to beautiful mountain lakes and then on up to Scott Mountain, for lunchtime views of the Cascade peaks. We'll descend through an interesting area that mixes forest, a burned area, lava flows before emerging next to Hand Lake to complete the loop. The mountaintop lunch spot has little-to-no shade, and mosquitoes are sometimes a problem, so please be prepared for both--but it's a beautiful hike.

  • 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: Campbell Community Ctr,west parking lot(Cheshire Ave)

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 151

  • Season: 2019

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Food, water, sun protection, insect repellent, parking pass if you have one

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 10

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1300

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

This trip was scheduled on a Wednesday to avoid the crowded weekend parking--but it turned out to still be crowded at the trailhead. But since much of the crowd was a group of volunteers about to set off for several days of trail maintenance and restoration, we happily made room for them. We set off on a gently climbing trail until, after a mile or so, we stopped to admire deep blue Benson Lake. A little more than a mile later, we arrived at the Tenas Lakes, where we had thought about going for a swim, but discovered one very large group of 20 or more--despite the wilderness restrictions--leaving the lake, and a large family gathering splashing around in the water. We decided to skip the swimming, went back to the main trail and soon arrived at the cut-off to Scott Mountain. The mosquitoes, which had been quite manageable up to this point, suddenly became ferocious, so we were glad we had less than a mile to hike through flowery meadows to arrive at the rocky summit of Scott Mountain, where a nice breeze took care of the mosquitoes and the stunning views of the Cascade peaks from Mount Hood to Diamond Peak made for a classic mountaintop lunch stop. We then headed back down, and took the "Scotty Way" trail through the woods and a small burn until the trail passed adjacent to an impressive lava flow with another mountain view. We soon arrived at Hand Lake, and then completed the loop to return to Scott Lake. The group was of mixed opinion at the end of the hike: some found the last few miles tedious and would have preferred to return via the lakes, perhaps getting that swim in, while other appreciated doing a loop hike. Either way, it was a great way to spend a day in the mountains.