Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 2.6 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
7400 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+450, -100 feet |
| Navigation | Marked trail and map |
| Time | Several hours |
| Season | Mid-December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Echo Lake |
| Start | Adventure Mountain located on the south side of Highway 50, 0.2 mile west of the Echo Summit Maintenance Station. This is the site of the now defunct Echo Summit Sno-Park. A fee is charged to park here. |
Description
This tour visits the a secluded meadow and the drainage above Benwood Meadow near Echo Summit — actually the entire route is secluded and except for the meadows is well-wooded.
From the trailhead to Benwood Meadow you follow a marked trail through terrain that is suitable for beginners. Beyond Benwood Meadow the marked trail abruptly begins to climb.
This route is the final section of the Carson Pass to Echo Summit tour and in past years (it's now defunct) was the beginning of the Kirkwood to Echo Nordic Ski Race.
The Benwood Meadow Drainage tour begins at the commercial snow-play area called Adventure Mountain. Two beginner loops are also located here and can be combined with the more difficult tour up the drainage. Visit the Benwood Meadow tour for details on the loop tours.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.3
Elevation change: +100 feet
From the trailhead (1) near the rear of the two buildings follow the marked trail that heads south for 0.3 mile until you reach a trail junction (2). Do not follow the marked trail that heads east under the powerlines. At the trail junction, the marked trail to the east (left) is part of the Rock Garden Loop.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.3 - 0.6
Elevation change: +50, -50 feet
Continue south (straight) on the marked trail for 0.3 mile until you reach a trail junction (3). The marked trail to the south (left), which enters Benwood Meadow, is part of the Frog Pond Loop.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.6 - 1.3
Elevation change: +300, -50 feet
Follow the marked trail southwest (right) as it soon passes along the edge of Benwood Meadow and then climb generally southwest for a total of 0.7 mile until you reach a meadow (4). Beyond this meadow the terrain becomes significantly more difficult.
Return to trailhead
Miles: 1.3 - 2.6
Elevation change: +100, -450 feet
Retrace the route for 1.3 miles back to the trailhead (1).
