Badger Mounain – Richland WA
Photo Credit: Gary Paulson
Badger Mountain is a small mountain in Richland, Washington. Badger rises above the Tri-Cities and is connected to the smaller Candy Mountain via Goose Gap. It is a popular destination for a wide variety of hikers. There are a number of trails climbing the mountain with varying levels of difficulty. Most of Badger Mountain is protected by the Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve but the radio towers at the peak are private property.
Recreation
There are two trails leading to the top of the mountain and three other trails on the slopes of the mountain. Badger Mountain is a popular location for hiking and photography because of its height above the Tri-Cities and the views it gives. On a clear day one can see Rattlesnake Mountain, the Blue Mountains, as well as some Cascade Mountains such as Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount Stuart.
There is a parking area in Trailhead Park on the northeast side of the mountain as well as access to the mountain from the west side off of Dallas Road.
Hiking
The Canyon and Skyline Trails reach the peak. The Canyon Trail is 1.3 miles long and starts at Trailhead Park and is closed to mountain bikes and horses, only allowing hikers. The Skyline Trail is 2.9 miles long and starts off of Dallas Road on the northwest side of Badger. The Skyline Trail goes along the spine of Badger Mountain and is open to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
The Langdon, Sagebrush, and Badger Flats Trails do not reach the peak. The Sagebrush Trail is a spur off of the Skyline Trail, connecting it to Trailhead Park. The Langdon Trail wraps around the south side of the mountain, offering views of Badger Canyon and the Horse Heaven Hills. It is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The Badger Flats Trail is completely within Trailhead Park and is 0.6 miles (0.97 km) in length.
Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve
The Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve protects Badger Mountain. A non-profit group, Friends of Badger Mountain, procured this shrub-steppe area that has most native vegetation intact and then built the trail systems to the summit.
Source: Wikipedia
Other Richland Attractions
- Columbia Park
- Howard Amon Park
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Richland WA
- Richland Used Car Dealerships