We decided to hike up Badger Mountain on a cool and overcast Monday morning. The mountain is visible from our apartment and the trail parking area is just a few miles away. Camera, water bottles, hiking poles and jackets...we are ready to go!
A little information about this area - Badger Mountain is one of the last remaining shrub-steppe habitats bordering the Tri-Cities. Trails are available to hike, bike or horseback ride. The elevation gain is over 800 ft and the summit is at 1,565 ft (at our apartment we are about 400 ft). Sagebrush is the tallest plant so the views are unimpeded. The top of Badger has spectacular views of the Tri-Cities and the Columbia, Yakima and Snake River valleys.
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| Top of the mountain |
The trails are maintained by the 'Friends of Badger Mountain' group and there are often organized hikes and events here.
www.friendsofbadger.org There is a nice wildflower identification guide on their website that we enjoyed using.
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| Silky Lupine |
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| Hairy Seed Fleabane |
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Columbia Milk-vetch
Balsamroot |
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| Snake of some kind, non-venomous |
It was interesting to see the area we are staying in from 'up high' and also the vineyards, farms and highways.
There are a few geocaches on the mountain trails which are always fun to find along the way!
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| Dennis with a cache container |
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