Bench Lake is a large lake on the east side of Mt. Adams on Yakama lands. Its scenic shores provide views up to the Suksdorf's Ridge at the southeast corner of Mt. Adams as well as Little Mt. Adams with a reflection of both in its waters. Bench Lake does not afford the sweeping views of Mt. Adams that Takhlakh Lake on the northwestern slopes of Mt. Adams does.
Note: Access to Bird Creek Meadows has been closed to non-tribal members most of each year since the devastating effects of the 2015 Cougar Creek Fire which destroyed much of the infrastructure in the area. The past couple of years, Bird Creek Meadows has been opened for 1-4 weeks in the fall for hiking, fishing and camping access and there are rumours that the Yakama Nation will open the area for much of the summer during 2023, but it remains to be seen whether that will happen. In the meantime, the access road down to Bench Lake from the Bird Creek Meadows trailhead was damaged by large vehicles and rockfall during 2022, enough so that smaller vehicles had difficulty getting down the steep, narrow grade to the lake. In addition, the campground has been invaded by trees and shrubs, so camping is primitive for the time being (Campers will need to clear their own sites.). The water system has not been prepared so campers, hikers and fishermen will need to bring their own water. Trails originating from Bench Lake Campground have yet to be fully cleared, and the Island Springs Trail suffered numerous downed trees and encroaching shrubs during the time since the trail was last worked on (about 2014).
Access:
Bench Lake and the Yakama lands are best accessed via Forest Road 82 to the north of Trout Lake, WA. Drive north from Troutlake on Road #23 (sometimes referred to as the Mt. Adams Area Recreational Road) for about 1.4 miles to a Y-junction, taking the right fork which is Rd #80. After another 0.6 miles, proceed straight onto Rd #82 (Rd #80 veers sharply left and uphill). Rd #82 is paved and climbs slowly through forest and clear cuts before veering sharply right at the intersection with Rd #8225 (dirt road which runs straight uphill from this intersection). Rd #82 now becomes a high quality dirt road which continues the climb past several snow parks, eventually climbing more quickly past Smith and Bunnell Buttes on the west and King Mt. on the east. At a recently thinned forest area (thinned in 2007), Road #82 veers sharply right at an intersection with Rd #8920 and begins to descend towards the Bird Creek drainage on the east side of King Mt. This is an alternate access road to Bird Creek Meadows, providing access from the Glenwood, WA area. However, passenger cars should avoid this road as it is extremely dusty and very rugged. In addition, there is a chance of running into logging traffic here.
To reach Bird Creek Meadows, proceed left on the more travelled Road #8920 from the junction with Road #82. You will enter a clear cut to the east of the road which is the Yakama Reservation boundary. This road climbs past a sign indicating whether Bird Creek Meadows is open (usually not until early July), following the National Forest and Reservation boundary. You will pass the Pine-way Trail #71 trailhead at 4300' and then climb through forest past Snowplow Mt. on the east before crossing Bird Creek (a nice picnic spot with waterfalls). There is a gate at this spot, which will be closed if access to higher locations in the reservation are inaccessible. The road through this section, from the Pine-way Trailhead to Bird Creek Meadows was historically some of the worst on Mt. Adams. I can remember hitting the muffler frequently on this stretch of the road over the last 30 years. The road is increasingly in better shape over the past few years. Evidently, some of the money collected by the Yakamas for camping and permit fees has gone to road improvements. The road is in good shape early in the season, but becomes wash-boarded and rutted and very dusty in stretches. Watch also for large rocks on the road.
You will pass Mirror Lake (daily access and camping permits can be purchased here). Mirror Lake has nice wildflower bloom on its banks early in season and an access road proceeds west from this location to the Bird Lake campground. To reach the Bird Creek Meadows trailhead and Bench Lake, proceed straight (north) from Mirror Lake for several more miles. You will reach the Bird Creek Meadows trailhead first. At the north end of the parking lot, proceed down the access road (watch for large potholes just as the road proceeds downhill), descending the narrow, rocky road which switchbacks several times before passing the Hellroaring Meadows Trailhead. Proceed downhill for about another mile before descending rapidly past a very rocky stretch which is at the upper (but southwestern) portion of the Bench Lake campground. The access road now becomes much gentler and is of a more driveable surface as it proceeds around Bench Lake in a clockwise manner.
Permits: Day Permits should be displayed on your dashboard or on the mirror at all Yakama Trailheads for access to Mt. Adams. Campground Permits should be displayed on clips provided at each campsite (Bird Lake and Bench Lake. I'm unclear as to whether camping permits are needed at the climbers camp (Sunrise Camp) accessed via the toe of Mazama Glacier near the head of the Ridge of Wonders. Permits can be purchased at both Bird, Mirror and Bench Lakes as well as the Bird Creek Meadows trailhead (at self service pay sites). Often, one of the Yakama Rangers will collect fees at Mirror Lake (especially on weekends) and these Rangers do patrol the roads checking for purchase of the permits and providing information to folks. They will hand out a nice brochure with trails and campgrounds on it upon request.
Generally, back country camping is not permitted on Yakama Lands. The Yakamas check Heart Lake in Hell Roaring Canyon each day, requesting campers at that location to relocate to established sites in the 3 major campgrounds. In addition, off trail hiking is not permitted. Stick to well established and signed trails.
Water: Water is available from faucets throughout the campground. Turn the faucets off when done. Most years there is plenty of water, but water did run out out at Bench Lake in 2005 (a very dry year) for the first time in memory by late July. It probably doesn't hurt to carry a couple gallons of drinking water with you to the campgrounds here.
Bench Lake Facilities: Pit toilets, potable water from faucets, fire rings and picnic tables are provided at each campsite. Refrain from cutting firewood in and around the campgrounds. Often one can pick up firewood along the main access road (from Bird Creek bridge to the Bird Creek Meadows trailhead), especially early in the season when the road crew clears the road and cuts and stacks wood along the road. Ask the Yakamas as they check the campsites each morning and evening. They may be able to direct you to firewood too.
Trails Accessible From or Near Bench Lake:
a) Island Springs Trail #10 - Trailhead accessed at the north side of the campground (at the intersection for the boat ramp).
b) Hellroaring Meadows -
c) Hellroaring Creek Trail - Trailhead accessed at the northeast corner of the campground.
d) Bird Creek Meadows -