Benson Lake Trail & Tenas Lakes Trailhead
Benson Lake Trailhead
The Benson Lake Trail and Tenas Lakes Trailhead offer a fantastic hiking experience in the Mt. Washington Wilderness. Beginning at the Benson/Tenas Trailhead, the 7.5-mile Benson Lake Trail #3502 heads west and uphill through an alpine mixed conifer forest. The trail enters the Mt. Washington Wilderness just before reaching Benson Lake. Passing through forests and marshes east of Benson Lake, the trail continues north, switching back uphill to pocket meadows and a junction with Tenas Lake Trail #4340.
From the junction, the trail continues north to Scott Mountain Trail #4339, then breaks west, continuing through the alpine mixed conifer forest downhill past The Knobs to end at Tenas Lakes Trailhead. The Tenas Lakes are a cluster of small lakes and tarns on a forested bench, with Big Tenas Lake being the largest at about 4.5 acres. Their rock-lined shorelines make for inviting swimming spots on a hot day, though mosquitoes can be a menace until August. The trail is rated as easy to intermediate, making it accessible for day hikers and backpackers alike