After the scree, I made my way around the cliffs and up the root ladders to gain Ruckel Ridge.  For some reason, the ridge seemed more beautiful to me this trip.  It wasn't the weather as both days had provided me blue skies.  The plan was to follow the ridge and take the Eagle-Benson Trail to Eagle Creek, completing the loop.

A fine view of Tanner Butte came into view as I greatly enjoyed my winter romp up it's peak.  I continued my efforts in climbing as it once again became quite laborious.  The last time I was here, I thought there was a lot of poison oak.  I was mistaken.  There was little compared to now as it lined the trail for a half mile at a time in places.

I soon came to the edge of the Benson Plateau and looked at my watch.  I climbed the ridge almost two hours faster than just three weeks ago.  That said a lot for hydration and performance as this would make for a good Gatorade commercial.   I flowed over the Benson Plateau effortlessly, enjoying my hike as I was not tired yet.  I soon came to the PCT and veered right, heading towards Camp Smokey.

At Camp Smokey, I took the Eagle-Benson trail and started the three and a half mile knee-jarring descent.  After dropping about a thousand feet, a viewpoint opened up sporting a campsite with incredible views of the Eagle Creek Drainage.  If it weren't a dry camp, this would be a perfect site for a day or two of reading as not many people took this trail.

Dropping more rapidly now and entering the large burn area, the trail became increasingly steep while covered in thick brush due to the lack of a tree canopy.  It was easy to get a foot lodged under small downed trees as you simply could not see the trail due to the overgrowth.  It was slow going as each step had to be carefully placed.

Finally reaching Eagle Creek,  I had quite the hot spot on the side of my right heel, but did not bother to mess with it, being so close to the truck.  An hour and 45 minutes later found me at the truck where I peeled off my socks reveling the cause of my discomfort.  It was well worth it having been in such a remote place, alone, along one of the most popular trails in the Pacific Northwest.

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