- One-way mileage: 1.6 miles
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Elevation: Start 840 feet, Summit: 1385 feet, Total Ascent 538 feet.
- Warning: Rattlesnakes have been spotted on this trail during warm, summer months.
Wow! What an awesome trail! This is thanks, in a large part to the Friends of Badger Mountain. The Friends of Badger Mountain worked with landowners, Benton County and public/company donors to raise money to purchase land for this new trail. The trail is not officially opened yet as Benton County has to build a parking lot. I spoke with the county parks representative, Adam Fyall. He said the parking lot should be built in the next two weeks so the trail should be officially opened some time in April, in time for the spring bloom.
Candy Mountain Trail Looking east to I-182 and Badger Mountain
What Should the Trail’s Name Be?
The new Candy Mountain trail has yet to be named. I came up with the name Candy Mountain Summit Trail. I’m not sure who will name the trail but I imagine it will be from the county.
Although the trail is not yet open. I have a preview for you. The trail begins in a rural neighborhood, not far from the Dallas Road trailhead of the Skyline and Langdon (Orchard View) trails. I’ll provide more specific directions when the trail is open.
Candy Mountain Trail Looking Southeast to I-82, I-182 Interchange
Candy Mountain Summit looking west
You see the difficulty of this trail is labeled as “easy to moderate”. That is one of the spectacular features of the Summit trail. The first 3/4 miles of the trail is fairly flat with some rolling hills and very little elevation gain. This part of the trail meanders through some fragrant sagebrush with a nice view of West Richland to the north. This section will be perfect for the person who is just hoping to get into shape gradually. You can start with the flat part and work your way up the hill as your endurance grows.
Candy Mountain Trail looking northeast to Columbia River
Candy Mountain Moss on Rock
After the first 3/4 miles, the trail starts to climb up the east end of Candy Mountain. All along the trail, you’ll see rocks and boulders piled up along the trail, a testament to the hard work volunteers put in to help build this trail. The whole trail is in really good shape with packed gravel bed. As the trail climbs up Candy Mountain, you will hike mainly on the southeast side. There are a few switchbacks which help keep the incline gradual. There are a few side trails leftover from Candy Mountain’s rough days, please try to stay off these rabbit trails and on the graveled trail to help with reforestation.
Candy Mountain Trail Looking Southwest to Horse Heaven Hills, I-82, Lower Yakima Valley
Candy Mountain Summit Sunshine
As you climb the mountain, you’ll have a great few down into Badger Canyon. The the west is a great vista of Badger Mountain and the Skyline Trail. You can also see west to Goose Hill and south to the Horse Heaven Hills. You’ll also cross a couple of access roads along your way, again, try to stick to the main trail and avoid shortcuts.
Candy Mountain Fog Blanket looking toward Badger Mountain
As you round the north side of Candy Mountain, you’ll arrive at the summit. A great view awaits you with the 500 plus square mile Hanford Nuclear Reservation to the north. Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant and West Richland, including Flattop Hill. Looking to the west, you can see the lower Yakima Valley and Mount Adams is visible on the horizon on clear days.
Candy Mountain Summit Looking North to Hanford and Columbia Generating Station
Candy Mountain Smiley Face
Candy Mountain Tiny Flowers
This is a really enjoyable hike and it will offer some great vistas, super spring wildflower bloom, and the ongoing support of Benton County and the Friends of Badger Mountain for trail upkeep and improvements.
Candy Mountain Trail looking east to Badger Mountain
I imagine it will not be quite as popular as Badger Mountain but, it will probably be the second most popular hiking area in the Columbia Basin, right behind Badger.