The Benson Lake Loop

This is looking back up Matterhorn Canyon where the trail crosses the creek (see the trail?). To the left in the trees is a seldom used packer camp, but a nice one.

Matterhorn Canyon Camp

The Benson Lake Loop, August 2002

The trail crossed Matterhorn Creek two more times in shaded forest, making me glad it was later in the season. Also, there was some small uphill climbing mixed in with the now meandering path. I was getting tired by this time and soon the only way ahead was steep uphill and therefore it was time to find a camp. After a long walk in viewless lush forest, I neared the PCT and the expectation of camps. I found several poor to fair camps and dropped my pack in one to my liking. A short walk confirmed I was indeed very close to the trail junction. I set up camp and noticed a party moving in not too far away: three of the very few people I saw on this trip. The camp was between the trail and the stream and a good distance from both. Near the trail was a meadow area and the stream-side featured steep walled banks. I looked at a lot of nearly level spots before I found something good enough to sleep on. This trip really fell short in the area of really good camps. Still, the viewpoint was fairly lofty with a small hill nearby for even better canyon views. In this area the stream often cut steep banks or tumbled along granite joints. Upstream there were interesting level plateaus above the stream cuts, and downstream I could see the meadows near the PCT and junction.

There was this small pretty meadow at the end of the "yosemite" canyon, looking down canyon.

After a bath and doing laundry, I was ready for a protracted rest and read in my chair. Evening comes early in canyons, so I was lucky to get my cloths dry. Soon enough night arrived and after a look at the stars from my little hill, it was off to bed. A quiet end to a great day.