I got started about 12:30pm on an absolutely perfect day. I'd heard warnings about how tough Ruckel could be on a hot July day, so I was elated to start off with temperatures in the low-60s, a gusty 15-mph wind, and overcast skies. It had rained a bit before I got there, just enough so the moss was bright and perky but not so much that the brush soaked my clothes.
I think the conditions helped me focus on aspects of his hike I hadn't heard others talk about much. Folks seem to emphasize the steepness (3700 feet in what, a little over 3 miles?), the exposure, the heat and hard work, but I mostly found it gorgeous and pleasant. I love how the ridge is so narrow, pointed, and rocky, yet wooded and moss covered. Even the notorious catwalk is completely mossed over and has trees growing out of it. Views into Eagle Creek are deep and wild, yet you can see down the ridge to Bonneville Dam for much of the trip. This may make it onto my annual list.
Anyway, there's a full picture set if you're interested, but I'll just show a few of my favs here.
Bridge of the Gods from Buck Point:
Talus slope just past the powerline:
Bonneville Dam from Ruckel Ridge:
Various ridge shots:
I eventually got used to the trail heading over/around/into/through unexpected spots. I'd see a big pile of moss covered pillars and think the trail just had to go around it, but no, it would go right over. Then other places it would drop to the side and skirt between the rocks and the edge. At one point, probably the most harrowing spot for me, there was a well-worn trail dropping to the right that I followed without looking ahead. Within a mere five feet or so I realized this was taking me directly to the cliff. Backing out those five feet spent most of my adrenaline for the day. It looks a lot more obvious in the picture than it did in person:
Then comes the catwalk. I knew by my altimeter that I was getting close, but when I investigated what I assumed was the catwalk, I changed my mind because there was no use trail heading to it and the moss on the rocks was essentially undisturbed. So I took the trail around to the right. It didn't take long to realize that was indeed the catwalk up to my left. So when I got to the other end, I went up and walked it backwards. (It's *there*, right?
) Then I walked it forward. It's certainly unique. My main gripe is it's so hard to get pictures of it!
Here's a couple shots looking back at it:
After the catwalk, there's a brief, steep, downhill section, a final view down into the canyon and back to the dam, then the trail turns upward and you knock off the last 1000 feet in about 2/3 mile.
The climb ends at a broken down sign of some sort. Question for you historians: was Ruckel Ridge at one time an official trail?
It was foggy on top, vintage Benson Plateau. I had never walked Benson Way, so I took that route across. I'd heard there were some southward views off that trail; but other than a sense of some distance here and there, the fog kept me focused on the forest. There's an interesting and huge blowdown.
I spent the night at Smokey Spring and headed down Eagle-Benson the next morning. There are several open and exposed viewpoints on that trail. I was surprised in particular that you can see Bonneville Dam from one of them.
I think the very best spot on Eagle-Benson is near the bottom where you can see the falls on that little (apparently) unnamed creek. The falls:
The viewpoint from which I shot the falls:
So that's it. This ended up being a much longer TR than I'd expected to write, but Ruckel Ridge surprised me with its beauty. See you next year, Ruckel!
