Directions to this hike
Well, I wanted to get back on the mountain and try out my new Christmas present to myself, some new hiking boots to replace my 10-year old leakers. I knew Badger Mountain was white but it had been going through a warm/cold cycle the last few days so the trail was hard packed and icy much of the way up with a few bare spots. As I got out at the trailhead, I saw a group of 6 or so people jogging down the mountain. I got going and started zig-zagging through the sagebrush. Then, I spotted this fit group jogging back up the mountain on the access road. I love hiking but I’m not much for running so I had to admire their determination!
Badger Mountain
I saw several people on this daytime hike. Young and old, middle aged and even 4-legged.
Hiker at Badger Mountain summit
One hiker brought his daughter up to the summit on his back. It was an overcast day but it was very clear. As I crested the upper ridge on the Dallas Road Trail,
Badger Mountain view to the west
there was a great view looking west up Badger Canyon toward Benton City and the Lower Yakima Valley. It was a weekend day so there were several people on the mountain. I took the trail all the way up then hiked the road back down to where the trail crosses. At about that point, my son called to remind me of an appointment I was late for and I had to jog back down anyway! My legs didn’t ache too bad and a little sprinkle on the descent didn’t dampen my enjoyment of another day on Badger Mountain!