Plan B Backpacking to Bench Lakes

We set out for the White Cloud Mountains, but Wildfire forced our hand.  This is a story of a Plan B that we hadn't even remotely seen coming.

Date: September 7-8, 2018.

Objective: Plan A - Fourth of July lake and Blackman Peak in the White Clouds.  Plan B - Backpack to Bench Lakes.

Partners: Deez and Landen.

Stats: 8 miles with 1,100ft gain round trip.  Strava track.

Notes: I was unaware of the Bible Back Fire until we turned down Fourth of July Creek Road.  Fourth of July trailhead and the surrounding area, including our planned camp at Fourth of July Lake and summit of Blackman Peak was closed.

Lesson learned: Always check InciWeb before leaving.


I perked up when I saw the sign for Fourth of July Creek Road on Highway 75.  Sa-weet, were almost there!

I was in disbelief when I saw the Fire Information sign on Fourth of July Creek Road that explained the Bible Back Fire and showed the closure area that was centered around our planed location.  Son of a bee sting! 

We had come to try and get Landen up Blackman Peak which is perhaps one of the easiest 10,000 foot peaks I know of.  I wasn't expecting anything other than an easy walk to a nice lake and a fun hike to the summit.  I blamed myself for not doing enough research and finding out that this area had been closed for about two weeks due to wildfire.  Deez and Landed both kept saying it wasn't my fault, but I'd rather take blame for being ill prepared than admitting shear stupidity.  Anyways, we were not about to just head home.  After a short brainstorming session, the best option I could come up with was a hike to Bench Lake.  The problem was it was already mid-afternoon and we needed something that would be a short drive from where we were and relativity easy to get to before dark.

View from Redfish dock.

Boat ride.

On the lake.

Trailhead selfie.

We elected to take the shuttle boat to the transfer dock at the far end of Redfish Lake.  I may also be wrong about this, but I think it's easier to get to Bench Lake from the west end, as opposed to hiking from the normal trailhead near the lodge.  Anyways, at least we got a fun boat ride to make a quasi-loop out of the ordeal.

No body seemed too disappointed, but nobody seemed thrilled about hiking 4 miles with 1,200 feet of gain during the hottest part of the day.  We caught a few glimpses of the White Cloud Peaks, as well as some rising smoke as we worked our way up the trail.

White Cloud Peaks.

Landen setting the pace.

Grand Mougl.

It was a hot grind up to the lake, but we found a nice shady camp site once we were there.  The tent went up, wine was poured, dinner was cooked and the Frisbee took flight and we were all smiles; at least that much of the day went according to plan.

New tent at the lake.

Mount Hayburn over the second Bench Lake.

The evening was warm and pleasant, even if it wasn't where we thought we'd be.  Since we didn't have a real agenda, we slept in a bit and weren't too fast about breaking camp the next morning. 

The day before was clear compared to the smell of smoke and hazy skies we now had.  Fine fall colors had come to the flora.

Hiking out.

Sawtooth Peaks barely visible in the haze. 

Hiking out.

East end of Redfish Lake from the trail.

Turning leafs.

There were several hikers and bikers making their way up the trail as we made our way back to the car.  No summits to claim, but still hard to complain.  You could certainly do worse when your unplanned Plan B is an overnight hike near Redfish Lake.

Happy trails!