Flat Benchmark & Bender Peak
A nice loop hike in the Danskins, with winter trying to set in.
Flat Benchmark from Bender Peak.

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The Danskin Mountains are a sub-range of the Boise Mountains, located south of the South Fork Boise River. They are a nice option close to Boise, especially in Spring or Fall when higher elevation areas are not accessible due to snow. The area around Bender Creek and Flat Creek is a popular destination for motorcycles and ATV’s, with an extensive network of trails. After some recent snowfall, I decided to go explore the area, starting my hike from where Flat Creek meets Blacks Creek Road.

After a short 1 hour drive from Boise, I started hiking at first light at 8am. I parked on a wide spot in the road just uphill from Flat Creek. After hopping over Wood Creek, I was able to follow a game trail along the west side of Flat Creek until I met up with the main bike trail after about a mile. Rain soaked grass and brush quickly had me pretty soaked too, but temperatures were mild so I kept hiking.

I was able to make good time on single-track trail 301 heading south up Flat Creek, and then double-track trail 300. Soon enough I made it to the start of single-track trail 312 heading up toward the summit of Flat Benchmark. I paused for drink of water at the trail junction, and happened to look back and see two dark animals crossing the trail a couple hundred yards behind me. Soon enough I realized it was two moose, a cow and a yearling. Definitely and neat but unexpected sighting, and I got to watch them climb up and over the ridge to the west.

After the moose left, I started up trail 312 toward Flat Benchmark. It wasn’t long before I was in the fresh snow from the prior night, but only 1-2” deep. The snow made for some nice scenery as I made the climb up to the 5040’ summit. I paused there for a moment, and then continued northeast along the trail and descended a short distance before a brief cross-country shortcut to reach single-track trail 310.

Hiking a long trail 310 gave good views of Bender Peak (Peak 4966’) to the north, and I was able to make good time along the gentle undulating ridge. The sun was occasionally shining through the clouds, which created some really cool lighting. Soon enough I made it to Bender Peak, and then continued along the trail for a while before descending cross-country almost directly to the mouth of Flat Creek. Not long after leaving the trail, I saw a group of ~9 motorcycles heading up.

It had been a nice morning hike close to home, and the fresh snow and unsettled skies made for some very nice scenery. Round trip for the leisurely loop was just over 7 miles, 2000’ elevation gain, in just under 4 hours.

Map of the route, 7 miles and 2000' gain round trip. I went counter clockwise.
Map of the route, 7.5 miles and 2000' gain round trip. I went counter clockwise.
Early view up Flat Creek.
Early view up Flat Creek.
Single track trail.
Single track trail.
Hiking along Flat Creek.
Hiking along Flat Creek.
Moose sighting!
Moose sighting!
Trail fork to Flat Benchmark.
Trail fork to Flat Benchmark.
Entering the snow.
Entering the snow.
The summit of Flat Benchmark comes into view.
The summit of Flat Benchmark comes into view.
Flat Benchmark summit area.
Flat Benchmark summit area.
Trail through snowy grass north of Flat Benchmark.
Trail through snowy grass north of Flat Benchmark.
Bender Peak to the north.
Bender Peak to the north.
Headed up Bender Peak.
Headed up Bender Peak.
Looking back at Flat Benchmark from just below the summit of Bender Peak.
Looking back at Flat Benchmark from just below the summit of Bender Peak.
Three Point Mountain from Bender Peak.
Three Point Mountain from Bender Peak.
Cross country descent back to the trailhead.
Cross country descent back to the trailhead.

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