You have better vision of what is below you in heavy cover than looking straight in or up.
That's another reason to try to get upon the high part.
Sounds like that "bench " is a man made path that has grown up and now acts as a funnel to allow deer to go from bed to feed. Yup I would use that as a stand and not still hunt.
You've hit it exactly. It's definitely manmade and works as a funnel. Once a deer gets in it, they pretty much have to run it end to end.
A stand might be the way to go. It would certainly work in this place.