Eagle Benson Trail #434 is a steep, demanding route in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, climbing by switchbacks from Eagle Creek Trail #440 at about 950 feet to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 at 3,800 feet. Its lower end lies 2.5 miles up Eagle Creek Trail from the Eagle Creek Trailhead at I-84 exit 41.
Treat it as a trail for experienced hikers only. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned it badly, burned ground here is prone to landslides and debris flows, brush grows back fast, and searchers have been called out here many times. The Forest Service does not suggest it as a link between the PCT and Eagle Creek.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 1 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Hood River
Connects to: Eagle Creek Trail #440 (Columbia River Gorge)
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
- Take I-84 east to exit #41 and Eagle Creek Trailhead.
From Hood River, OR
- Take a I-84 east to Bonneville Dam exit #40, turn left at the stop sign and then turn left onto the eastbound freeway entrance.
- Take I-84 eastbound to exit #41 to Eagle Creek Trailhead.
- Follow Eagle Creek #440 for 2.5 miles to the beginning of this trail.
From the Forest Service
Good to know
Warning! This trail has been the site of many search and rescue operations over recent years. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burned this trail severely. The trail is unmaintained and has unstable, dangerous soil conditions. Burned areas can have an increased likelihood of landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and debris flows.
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply.
Passes and permits
A valid Recreation Pass is required at Eagle Creek Trailhead.
Trails nearby
Eagle Creek Trail #440 (Columbia River Gorge)
18 mi
5,148 ft
Very hard
Benson Spur Trail #405C
1 mi
47 ft
Easy
Ruckel Creek Trail #405
3.8 mi
619 ft
Moderate
Eagle Tanner Trail #433
9 mi
2,550 ft
Very hard
Dublin Lake Trail #401B
0.4 mi
256 ft
Easy
Herman Creek Trail #406
16 mi
4,520 ft
Very hard
Chinidere Mountain Trail #445
0.6 mi
389 ft
Easy
Tanner Butte Trail #401
11 mi
1,949 ft
Very hard
Tanner Cutoff Trail #448
4.2 mi
2,510 ft
Hard
Anthill Trail #406B
3.8 mi
840 ft
Moderate
Tanner Springs Trail #401E
0.4 mi
103 ft
Easy
Chinidere Cutoff Trail #406M
1.4 mi
575 ft
Easy