The Benson Lake Loop

Right above the Kerrick Canyon junction on the PCT (seen below), looking up-canyon

Kerrick Canyon

The Benson Lake Loop, August 2002

A few minutes more of marching brought me to the verge of Kerrick Canyon, its granite walls, and a view of a point of rock with the unlovely name of Price Peak. The long draw below the peak looked like an inviting cross-country route to the upper reaches of a chain of unnamed lakes that lead back to the PCT.

The trail plunged into the canyon down its steep earthen and granite wall and reached the tree shaded trail junction well before reaching the bottom. Those continuing on the PCT might have a false sense of relief that they will be heading down canyon on an easy hike. While they will be losing over 2000 feet of elevation, they will be climbing as much as 700 feet on one of the more notorious Sierra roller-coasters before reaching the next junction and before leaving Kerrick Canyon.

Ironically, my trail north was almost level as things go in the Sierra. Over the next mile I would only gain about 140 feet while nearly losing as much aggregate. As a matter of fact, to the next trail junction near Peeler Lake, I would go only 4.9 miles and gain only 638 feet. However, I would not always be staying on the trail.

After heading north-west through park-like forest, the trail heads north-east and opens up to this view, looking north-east. A stream crossing is ahead.

Just for the record, from my current trail junction to Peeler Lake, it is 7.3 miles, with 975 feet of gain and a loss of 335 feet, all easy hiking.

Heading north, the trail climbed into some dense trees then leveled out and swept left at a possible cross-country access point into another canyon below Rock Island Lake. Approaching the river, the terrain became rocky and shaded as well as an inviting area for a rest and water break. The trail was no longer PCT, so it did not have that over used over engineered look and took on more of the look of a garden path. It was a very nice section and lodged itself into my memory.