The Benson Lake Loop

The western lake of Twin Lakes on my last hiking day. Here you can see Blacksmith Creek Canyon on the right, and Horse Creek Canyon on the left. In the lower right, you can see the beaches of the resort area of the lakes. The peaks have no names on the map.

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The Benson Lake Loop, August 2002

DAY 7: Wednesday, September 4nd, 7.3 miles, 463 foot gain, 2957 foot loss

I woke up in the false dawn to the sound of rain pelting my shelter. I had enough and sleep was out of the question. I dressed and packed everything I could while in the shelter. I got out wearing my rain-gear and hat, struck the shelter and ground-sheet and packed it all away. Once my pack got its own raincoat on, I was feeling warm, dry, protected, and ready to hit the trail. Breakfast could wait.

This lake featured some real rollercoaster trail, starting with a short stiff climb over a granite outcropping. Back down by the beach, I passed the most used camps in a shoreline wood, which contained a number of campers, some heading into the backcountry. I hoped they were prepared for a few days of rain, or even snow.

Again the trail climbed, threatening to get me overheated in my rain-gear. Dropping down again it crossed the outlet and once again climbed high above the lake. After a few more crazy dips and twists, the trail finally settled down to dropping some altitude, sometimes very steeply. I was again glad I hiked this loop in the direction that I did. The section had is own charms with little cozy glens, woods and glades, mostly ignored by the exhausted hikers trudging up to Peeler Lake.

It was not long before I reached the trail junction, finally closing the loop of the trip. I do not have much more to say about the trip back to the trailhead, except to say the rainy weather brought out new beauties and views I would not have had in fair weather. It was nice hiking. John Muir said that in stormy weather Nature is most revealing. The mountains kept their heads in clouds and the side canyons peeked through swirling mists. It was all very grand.

Back at the trailhead I got a fine shower and meal while the rain pounded down outside. All in all, it had been a great trip.