S4 Hike #9 Benson - Tenas Lakes (Scott Lake)

 Benson -Tenas Lake Trail

trail map

Starting Location: parking lot of Scott Lake Campground (end of road)

Point of Interest : forest, and smallish lakes

Length of hike: 5 miles roundtrip

Level: Moderate. Trail in good condition

Bathrooms: at main parking lot in campground

Parking: Decent gravel parking

EV Chargers: No


We were camping at Scott Lake, so this hike made sense. The trailhead starts at the campground parking lot. However, you need a Central Cascade Wilderness Permit ($1), and the rangers were out and checking.


The Trailhead is easy to find, with pit toilet nearby. The trail is well maintained, and mostly dirt with the occasional tree root. Not very steep, but gently inclines most of the way. 



The trail is well marked and easy to follow. We did not see much in the way of wildlife, but it's a pretty hike, and the huckleberries were ripe.

Mosquitoes were around, but with our spray, and steady pace, they weren't really an issue.
There are a few small lakes or ponds along the way, and Benson Lake is pretty large about halfway down the trail. This picture is Benson Lake. We opted to keep going to Tenas Lakes, and I'm glad we did.

Tenas seems to refer to several lakes right next to each other, although separate. We had to go farther down the trail to see a different lake. This is the largest, and it was worth the hike. There was a gently sloped smooth rocky area where we could easily get in. Although it's a mountain lake, the water was comfortable, and we spent at least a half hour enjoying the swim.
The kids went across the lake to jump off a small rock, after checking for obstacles. 

It took about an hour and 15 minutes to get here, and maybe a bit less coming back since it's mostly downhill. 

If you are looking for a easy enough hike with a swim at the end, this is a great place to check out.


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