Flat Benchmark & Bender Peak

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Flat Benchmark & Bender Peak

A nice loop hike in the Danskins, with winter trying to set in.

November 4, 2017
Flat Benchmark (5,040') - Bender Peak (4,966')

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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.