Up on the Benson Plateau in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, this short, easy spur crosses the north end of the plateau to connect the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 with Ruckel Creek Trail #405. It serves as a key link between the plateau and the Columbia River Gorge, and the plateau itself holds several scenic meadows and dispersed campsites.
Access is from the Cascade Hatchery parking lot, at the end of NE Eagle Creek Loop Road off I-84 east of Portland. Starting where it meets Gorge Trail #400, hike Ruckel Creek Trail #405 east for 4.8 miles to reach this spur.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 2 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Hood River
Connects to: Pacific Crest Trail (Hood River RD), Ruckel Creek Trail #405, West Benson Way Trail
More about the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and its trails →
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Getting there
From Portland, OR
- head east on I-84 towards the Cascade Hatchery.
- Take the NE Eagle Creek Loop Rd. until the end.
- The trailhead is at the end of the road.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply.
Ranger office
Hood River Ranger District
Address: 6780 Highway 35 Parkdale, OR 97041
Phone: 541-352-6002
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)
Trails nearby
Pacific Crest Trail (Hood River RD)
40.4 mi round trip
6,003 ft
Very hard
Ruckel Creek Trail #405
10.4 mi round trip
4,247 ft
Very hard
West Benson Way Trail
6.4 mi round trip
938 ft
Hard
Benson Spur Trail #405C
1 mi round trip
47 ft
Easy
Eagle Benson Trail #434
5.4 mi round trip
3,390 ft
Hard
Eagle Creek Trail #440 (Columbia River Gorge)
26.8 mi round trip
9,562 ft
Very hard
Herman Creek Trail #406
20.6 mi round trip
5,640 ft
Very hard
Casey Creek Trail #476
3.6 mi round trip
2,428 ft
Hard
Nick Eaton Trail #447
8.2 mi round trip
3,675 ft
Very hard
Gorton Creek Trail #408
17.8 mi round trip
4,649 ft
Very hard