A solo condition hike on the PCT to Benson Plateau. A good variety of flowers were blooming along the trail. The hike was 13 miles with 4000 ft. total gain and on the trail for 7.5 hours.
Heading out from the Herman Creek trailhead at 6:20 am
Clouds came in far sooner then forecasted
Thimbleberry in bloom
First of many switchbacks to come
Connector trail over to the PCT
Burnt tree trunks contrast against lush new ground cover
Bridge over Herman Creek
Herman Creek
Red Columbine
PCT runs at the bottom of these cliffs
Pacific Crest Trail marker at about 900 ft elevation
On the PCT blow the cliffs
View out to the Columbia River at Cascade Locks
Flowers along the trail
Rosy Plectritis
Vanilla leaf in bloom
Bear Grass just starting to bloom
Oregon Grape blooming
Phlox
Trillion
Burnt trees near and on next ridge
By my GPS Teakettle Spring is at 3400 ft elevation and 6 miles from trailhead
Got to the flat and it was a mess, I stopped here
My lunch spot at 3800 ft elevation
The area is ready to burn again
Heading down and at Red Bluff
Mt. Adams was hiding in the clouds today
On the PCT heading down
The PCT switch backs up some very steep slops
Back to a view of Table Mt. and Cascade Locks
Trail cut a over talus slope
Back to the trail to the Herman Creek Bride
Over the Herman Creek Bridge and a short walk back to my car
