GoalTech hikes Ruckel Ridge up and Ruckel Creek down 4/3/15

[mjirving]

Hi All,

I did the Ruckel Ridge / Ruckel Creek loop hike today. First time. Wow...that's a heck of a climb going straight up the spine of Ruckel Ridge! It seemed to take forever. The trail was generally in good shape with a few minor blow-downs. I hit snow at 3,300' and there was about an inch on Benson Plateau...still easy to see the trail. I didn't see another soul during the entire hike.

Here's my blog post with more detail and more pictures, but I'll post a few of my favorites here too.

http://goaltechhikes.blogspot.com/2015/ ... -loop.html

Cheers!
GoalTech/Mike

Toward the top of the ridge

At Ruckel Creek on Benson Plateau

Bridge of the Gods from 2,000'

[mjirving]

Here is a short 3D Google Earth video of the GPS track. It's the red one. The purple one is the PCT Eagle Creek Alternate.

https://vimeo.com/124097593

Mike

[Eric Peterson]

Sounds like some snow is back on elevation in the Gorge.

I've not done RR for 3 years or so now.

Thanks for the TR/snow report!

[bookem]

Nice TR and pics. I'm planning an out-and-back on Ruckel Creek in three weeks, so it's encouraging to hear the trail's in good shape. Any big wildflower bloomage on the hanging meadows?

[mjirving]

Not too much yet, most that I saw were on the ridge side actually.

[texasbb]

Thanks for the timely report, GT/M. I've got Ruckel-Ruckel on my calendar for later this month and this kind of input is always helpful.

I notice your GPS stats show the uphill half of the 9-mile loop to be almost exactly half the distance. I'm curious how accurate that is. The Field Guide agrees with your 9-mile total, but my googleearthing (as well as how it feels hiking it) suggests the down side is quite a bit longer than the up side. Thoughts?

[mjirving]

I would agree with your assumption. My guess is that the slow going under a lot of tree cover adds some extra GPS jitter. Time wise is big though. It takes foreeeevvveerrr to get up that ridge.

[-Q-]

Nice job
Ruckel Ridge is a bruiser indeed.
I find the hardest part is the last mile or so up to the BP.
That final climb just wears me out, both physically and mentally

[mjirving]

Indeed...it just never ends. I was a tad worried when I hit snow at 3,300' while staring at a 45 degree slope in front of me! It turned out perfect...just enough to be pretty.

[-Q-]

The orange spray painted tree's on the BP help with route finding in the snow as well