I’m tired of people who IGNORE the rules and ruin the Badger Mountain hiking experience for others! Dogs are to be on leashes and owners are to clean up after their animals! If you want your animal to run free, take them to an area where this activity is appropriate. See Richland Dog Code Here. See info here on a park MADE for unleashed dogs.
The other day, I was riding my bicycle up the Sagebrush Trail (bikes are only allowed on the Sagebrush and Skyline Trails), when I came across a woman who had her little dog (looked like a chihuahua). The dog was not on a leash and started barking at my feet, following me up the trail, away from her owner. I was expecting to be bitten at any moment as the little yapper just kept barking and following right beside me as I rode my bike up the hill. I figured that I would be okay as I got further from the owner but the dog just kept at it. Finally, a ways up the trail, the dog backed off. I was getting rather frustrated and held myself at bay as I considered giving the dog a good, swift kick. I continued up the trail, got to the top and snapped a few nice pictures. 
View of Richland from atop Badger Mountain
It was a great ride as I really got my heart pumping (having the dog nipping at my feet probably helped increase the heart rate). Fortunately, I didn’t get bit. The problem is, there are many people who are terrified of dogs and knowing there are unleashed canines on the trail will keep them away from hiking. The rules are in place for a reason.
Just the other day I was disgusted to see doggy droppings right on the trail, another example of people ruining this experience for others.
Watch Your Step!
If you are going to bring your dog on the trail, please follow the rules, they are clearly posted. If you don’t want to leash your dogs, keep them home, find some private property that allows unleashed dogs or go to the dog park at Badger Mountain Community Park. There are places for unleashed dogs, Badger Mountain is not one of them.
There are now leashes to borrow at Trailhead Park so there is no excuse to not have your dog leashed.
The rules are clearly outlined as well so please be considerate of others and curb your dog!
I totally agree with you. I have been attacked by dogs in my younger years and am still paranoid of them. I have been nipped at once while on Badger. Some of the owners totally ignore their dogs and let them do whatever. I also played a game once on the way to the top, “How many piles of poo does it take to get to the top of Badger?” I counted 35. Way beyond to many.
Thank you, Teresa,
I hope people will see this post and your story and be more responsible dog owners. Paul
I’m a dog lover and my dogs and I love to hike Badger Mountain. I keep them on leash and clean up after them. There are responsible owners that hike this trail also. Its sad you would consider a dog barking at you as an “attack”. That wording only creates unnecessary strife.
I appreciate your responsible dog ownership. I disagree however with your premise that an “attack” has to include physical contact. I’m confident that any person who has an aversion to dogs would indeed feel attacked and would likely be deterred from returning to the mountain. Thank you again for your responsibility, sorry there are other owners who are not as respectful of the rules. Thank you, Paul
Did you read the post? The dog was barking and following along away from its master. The bark was not a casual bark. The operative word here is “following”. That is unacceptable. I would have been terrified. I might even have had a heart attack I would have been so panic stricken. It’s not fair.
Paul,
A tiny dog barks at you and you call it a dog attack? It is folks like you who ruin the great outdoors with petty criticism.
Words like “petty” and “ruin” are the type of attitude people who won’t follow the rules take thinking they are above the rest of us. The rules are in place because of those who won’t self-police. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on Badger and seen large dogs (german shepherds, labs, etc) with no leash. There are people who are afraid of dogs and they won’t hike because of them. There are places for no-leash dogs: private property, dog parks and other non-populated areas where they won’t be a threat. I encourage people to enjoy their dogs obeying leash and clean-up laws. Watch for an upcoming blog post on the local dog park. I encourage any of you to weigh in on this subject. Thanks for the dialogue. Paul
Ahhh… an off leash dog thread on a hiking site. Surprise!
For your reading enjoyment, read one of our many discussions on said topic:
http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7995677&highlight=off+leash
Popcorn optional.
Yes, this can be a touchy subject. I’d love to have some discussion here on hiketricities.com. Do you have an opinion on leash versus heel?
Having grown up in NV and spending significant time in WY, I’m not sure I ever saw a dog leashed on a trail till I move to WA. We certainly didn’t have leashes with when we were horseback riding. Being I always hike with a dog, I, personally, don’t care if the dog is leashed or even at heel. I’ve certainly run into a few aggressive dogs off leash while in the wilds, but it was no big deal…after a few sniffs all was well.
However, having said that, I do understand people’s fear\anxiety of man’s best friend. And encountering a dog that doesn’t appear to be under physical control (6’ leash) causes even more anxiety. So when on popular trails (Mt Si, Rattlesnake, Snow lake…guess Badger is the equivalent over here) it’s just best to keep em’ leashed. I don’t agree with it’s in the rules so you must obey (like everyone obeys\agrees\knows every rule (speeding, texting, etc)). To me it’s more of a common sense and courtesy thing knowing that some people are plain afraid of dogs. I’ve actually had people step off the trail when they see us coming with leashed dogs. So if I expect trail traffic (which I try to avoid), pups on the leash rules or not.
Dennis, thanks for your thoughts on dogs. There are a lot of them out there! Have you found a favorite hike in this area or any good hikes that I haven’t put on hiketricities.com yet? Make sure you check out my new web site: hikehealthy.com and the Hike Healthy Podcast! I would appreciate you sharing with others as it will help get the word out and help people be more active. Paul
Not yet, actually been using this site to find hikes. Now that the remodel is done and its chilled a bit, will be able to get out much more and look at topos a bunch more. I’ll definitely send you any that I discover not covered on your site.
Paul – first thanks for the great site and info it provides.
I stopped hiking Badger with my German Shepherd (always leashed and picked up after) because of the anxiety evident with some hikers. Just an FYI for any other readers, there are great alternative to Badger with much less traffic and folks who appear more dog tolerant – Red Mt and Candy for example.
BTW, not sure if you’ve covered the trail along the old irrigation canal that extends from Twin Bridges Rd to the Horn Rapids development. I really enjoy that one a lot.
Kevin,
Thanks so much for the feedback. I hope people branch out and explore some of the other hikes listed here on the web site. I will check out the trail you’re referring to and probably make it another on the list! See you on the trail and make sure you say hi! Paul