This hike begins at the Eagle Creek hatchery parking lot. Follow the signs past the campground to Ruckle Creek, not Ruckle Ridge.

You will walk a short distance on a paved part of the Old Columbia River Hwy that has been resurfaced for bicyclists and hikers. In about a half mile you will come to Ruckle Creek Trail #405.

This is a very steep trail with great reward for those you survive the 15 switchback part of the hike. The reward is a hanging garden of flowers in the spring and great vistas all year round. This trail is the main route to Benson Plateau for the more adventurous.

Ruckle Creek Ridge Trail

How to get there:

Traveling eastbound on I-84, take Exit #41. At the bottom of the ramp turn right. Go about 1/2 mile to the end of the road. You will go past a footbridge (that takes hikers up to Wauna Viewpoint) as the road narrows to one lane. Continue a short ways to a large parking lot; park only in designated spaces. NW Forest Pass required.

Coming from the east, there is no westbound exit at Exit #41/Eagle Creek. You must continue on I-84 and get off at Exit #40/Bonneville Dam, get back on the interstate and head east for one mile to Exit #41. At the bottom of the ramp turn right. Go about 1/2 mile to the end of the road. You will go past a footbridge (that takes hikers up to Wauna Viewpoint) as the road narrows to one lane. Continue a short ways to a large parking lot; park only in designated spaces. NW Forest Pass required.