Hiked up the Ruckel Creek trail from the Eagle Creek trailhead today. Should have gotten more photos, but I did notice that there aren't any Ruckel Creek Trail photos on the Field Guide. Here are six -- four from the moss-covered rockfall area (the rock garden itself and the cliff face above it) and two from the viewpoint above Bonneville/Cascade Locks.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZt3Lho4buGLiY&notag=1

The narrative in "Wahtum Lake via Ruckel Creek" is accurate, but it overlooks (in my opinion) the most beautiful feature of the climb to the first viewpoint: the moss-covered rockfall garden. Comments on this should be included, since this could be a worthy hiking destination in its own right for folks who want to keep their hike somewhere around two hours.

Here's the current narrative: "The Ruckel Creek Trail must get its name from this 100 yards. Soon, you'll come to a switchback and that's the last you'll see of Ruckel Creek. It's also the last water of any kind you'll see for miles, so make sure you're stocked up. From here, you'll switchback up past a power line and farther up the side of a ridge. There are a lot of switchbacks here, but there are peaks of views that promise more. After about a dozen switchbacks, you'll come to a stunning if risky viewpoint. From here, you'll see Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier and Mt Adams, as well as the Columbia River, the Bridge of the Gods and all of the lesser mountains on the Washington side of the Gorge. A little farther up, you'll crest a ridge and have a great view south to Mt Hood."

The rockfall moss garden is between the powerline clearing and the first viewpoint.  I would be happy to provide some comments. I had heard that some hilly feature like this was up there, but it's about the only time I've turned a corner on a hike and went a little slackjawed from the unexpected transition, and the unusual beauty. I guess the light was perfect today.

Thanks. -Robert

Hi Robert and welcome to the site!

I'd be happy to add your commentary to that hike, (or for that matter any other). Send me your narrative in a PM or post it here and I'll be sure it gets included.

If you really want to go wild, I can have Dan set you up with a wiki editing account, as well. Then you get really get your hands dirty!

Steve

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

Hi Steve-

Thanks for the prompt greeting. I think I would enjoy a wiki editing account -- I go out and look for new trails (new to me, at least) most weekends, and I would enjoy adding photos and comments to different pages. Plus, finding hikes that need photos gives me an excuse to get my sticks in the mud.

If you can give me access to the wiki, I will update the Ruckel Creek Trail content with my photos and a few notes.

Also, is there a reason why there is no "Ruckel Creek Trail Hike" entry on the wiki, just as an out-and-back day hike? The trail is mentioned as part of the Ruckel Ridge Loop Hike and Wahtum Lake via Ruckel Creek Hike. However, it might be worth cataloging as its own entry, e.g. "Ruckel Creek Trail Hike," noting it as a connector to Ruckel Ridge, the Benson Plateau, PCT, Wahtum Lake, etc.

Thanks.  -Robert

Robert, I'll have Dan set you up with an account ASAP. There's a kind of organizational page here.

The first place you'll probably want to play around is our "templates". Wiki code allows us do all kinds of things, so to keep the site consistent and at least quasi-user friendly, we set up several page templates. Templates might have been a poor choice of wording, since these are not true wiki templates and they use many true wiki templates.


http://portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Destination_Template

http://portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Hike_Template

http://portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Trailhead_Template

http://portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Trail_Log_Template

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

Hi Steve- Do you know if Dan set up a wiki account for me yet? He may have sent an email, but it also could have been lost in my filter. I hiked a few trails out of Herman Creek today and have a few comments and photos that I could contribute to that section. Thanks.

-Robert

I've sent him an email, but it looks like he's been busy. He reads this forum, as well, so I'm sure he'll get you set up soon.

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

Many, many thanks. -Robert

Maybe in mid to late April, continue up the Ruckel Creek trail from the viewpoint to several hanging meadows, which at that time will be full of purple shooting stars!

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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.--E.Abbey