The Benson Lake Loop

Sawtooth Ridge and up there right of center, "The Doodad".

"The Doodad"

The Benson Lake Loop, August 2002

Before long the trail reached a point where I could see the coomb of the canyon end, the birthplace of ancient glaciers, now long gone except for icy remnants patches far above the canyon floor. To my right some high-unnamed lakes came into view. It looked like it was level enough over there to hide a camp or two in the clumps of trees scattered that were here and there on the lake bench.

The birthplace of the glacier that once filled Piute Creek Canyon. The peak on the right is ill-named Matterhorn Peak

Now and then as I hiked I would stop to look at the glorious expanse of Sawtooth ridge, and especially, "The Doodad" high above me. I tried to imagine navigating the passes that were up there between the teeth of the Sawtooth.

A close up view of "The Doodad".

The last section of trail before the pass began to swichback as I neared the top, and after a final grunt, I made the pass summit. The pass had been an easy one, and it was all down hill from there. Hardly an hour had passed on the trail so far.