7/22/12 Wahtum Lake to Benson Plateau via PCT

[mileagemike25000]

It was about 67degF and partly sunny in Hood River before we headed up to Wahtum Lake. By the time we arrived at Wahtum Lake it was only 50degF, drizzly and wet with plenty of wind. What a nice late fall day it appeared to be? We quickly added a Smartwool layer and a Gore-tex jacket before heading out on the trail.

We've never been to Benson Plateau and didn't know how far it was. We also started a bit late at just after noon. First, we filled out the wilderness permit before heading out toward the PCT.

Heading down toward Wahtum Lake I wanted to stop and take a few pictures but there was very low visibility across the lake.

We quickly moved north on the PCT and intercepted the Herman Creek trail intersection (We need to hike this one day).

And then continued up the trail around the bend where we intersected the Chinidere Mt. and cutoff trails. We decided not to go up to the Chinidere summit due to the low cloud ceiling and no views!

The mood on the PCT was quite surreal with plenty of fog. The PCT is in excellent shape for this section of the trail.

And we reached a rocky stretch of the trail where we were hoping for a view?

These trees looked pretty cool in the fog!

When we got to the east side of the rocky ridge we didn't immediately have a view.

And as we had a snack the cloud ceiling rose up and revealed the beautiful valley below!

We finally reached an intersection with the Eagle Creek Cutoff where the remains of a cabin stood. My friend told me the name of the cabin (I forgot it) but it's not on any map I have?

After a short distance we finally reached the Benson Way trail intersection. We did explore the trails a bit beyond this sign before turning around.

Turning back there was a view of the Eagle Creek drainage at the rock field area. I'm glad we didn't miss this view as it would have been a pity.

The clouds also lifted at Wahtum Lake!

It was a great PNW hike and the cool cloudy weather only added to the excitement!

The hike was 11.9 miles with an elevation gain of about 2000ft.

[sasquatch22]

Another great trip report and images, Mike. Especially liked images 5 thru 9 - atmospheric. What type of camera do you & your wife use when hiking?

[mileagemike25000]

Sasquatch22 - Thanks! My wife carries an older Sony point & shoot but doesn't take many pictures, which is why I'm rarely in a picture. I carry a Canon 5d MarkIII with a GPS module mounted in the hot shoe and a 24-105mm lens. My outfit weighs about 4 pounds which is why I have added straps to my backpack shoulder pads, so that it is suspended inside a case at about chest height, for quick access. When I feel like going light I replace the zoom lens with a much much lighter and compact 24mm prime lens.

[mayhem]

Sasquatch22 - Thanks! My wife carries an older Sony point & shoot but doesn't take many pictures, which is why I'm rarely in a picture. I carry a Canon 5d MarkIII with a GPS module mounted in the hot shoe and a 24-105mm lens. My outfit weighs about 4 pounds which is why I have added straps to my backpack shoulder pads, so that it is suspended inside a case at about chest height, for quick access. When I feel like going light I replace the zoom lens with a much much lighter and compact 24mm prime lens.

Supermilagemmike25000 . Another great adventure,,
Hey can you post a picture of your camera back pack setup?

[Crusak]

Awesome Job, Mike & Mrs. Mike. That's a great out and back hike by the looks of it. I keep seeing Wahtum in TRs and it's calling to me. Been a few years since I was up there.

Yet another great TR!

[mileagemike25000]

Thanks Mayhem! I tried modifying a picture of me at Lookout Mt. that shows the Kinesis Holster style case suspended from my backpack. What we did to create each supporting strap was to use 3/4" nylon strapping (that can fit througth the backpack straps) that is constructed as a loop. A cambuckle from REI is used to adjust how far down the camera hangs from the backpack shoulder straps. This nylon loop is fed through the backpack shoulder adjustment strap and supports the camera weight. There is a plastic snap hook (also from REI) that is connected to the D-Ring on the Kinesis Holster case. Sorry if this explanation seems difficult but the actual implementation is very simple. Let me know if you need more info and I'd be glad to take some pictures of the strap by itself along with details of how it fits through the shoulder buckle.

The main disadvantage of this setup is that it blocks the view of your feet and swings forward when you bend over. It also doesn't detach very quicly but you could add some hardware to change this. The main advantages are that it's cheap and it works (I've been using this system for over 3 years and haven't stepped on anything I didn't want to )! Oh, and you won't look very stylish in this as you can see; but I'm not trying to set a fashion statement!



Thanks Jim for your kind comments! A beautiful lake, that isn't overrun with tourists, and is only a few blocks from the Wilderness and the PCT ... just doesn't get any better than that!