Badger Mountain Trails

Saturday morning on my visit to Tri-​Cities and my friends had been talking about hiking Badger Mountain to sweat out some of the excessive beer and burgers we had consumed the night before haha.
We came up through the neighborhood of really nice greek themed houses and parked at the bottom, where you’ll find some bathrooms (which were really clean) and a playground.
There was also a stand from a gym giving water and membership information!
A little bit up, there was also a sign with some hooks where people had placed keys, i’m assuming they found while hiking. I thought it was cool in case you dropped them, and someone did a good deed and placed them there :)
Maybe it’s because I’ve been hiking a lot lately, but Badger Mountain didn’t seem too difficult. You could see people running up the trail and although some of the inclines are pretty steep, it’s not impossible. Just in case anyone’s looking, Mountain bikes didn’t seem to be allowed.
The trail itself is marked very nicely and whoever is in charge of upkeep is doing a great job. Props to that, I was impressed.
I’m spoiled because hiking in Southern California gives you some of the best views you’ve ever seen. From the beach to the mountains to the deserts. You’re not far from anything your heart desires haha.
That being said, the view from the top was actually very pretty. You get to see just how flat the Tri-​Cities are. The river, some other mountains and the fields. I doubt you get a view like that anywhere else, seeing as it’s mainly a flat area throughout.
Still, I’m happy I came here and it would be enjoyable to do again. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re in the area for a bit and looking for a nice hike :)

This is hands down one of the best maintained trail systems I have ever seen. There are people working on them daily it seems! I have hiked just about every trial and all are great. This is a great workout area also! Can get kinda busy during the weekends or holidays seeing that there isn’t much to do in the tri cities!

Went here for the view, but once at the top, all you can really see is the rampant development here in the Tri Cities. Great view of suburbia… I would like to try and go back during a less crowded time and try a different portion of the trail to see an unobstructed view.
Also, most people use this as their morning workout and aren’t too keen on having to pass others who want to go slowly. The trail is also too narrow for the allowed runners, walkers, bikers and horses (in some places).
I’ll be back in future and hopefully will revise my review to more stars:)

I’ve hiked from the North trail-​head several times but last night I hiked from the trail-​head at the park off Queensgate (take Keene road and turn towards the mountain at Shockley next to the mega-​church and keep going until Shockley turns into Queensgate, then follow the signs). Wow, what a difference!
The North trail-​head is beautiful and there are lovely agricultural vistas, but it can also be very exposed and very windy. I loved the South trail loop, but it is quite a climb. Stairs are cut into the path for large portions and where the stairs stop, the switchbacks begin. You will definitely feel that climb throughout your body, and as usual in this area, you should watch out for wildlife — wasps, rattlesnakes, etc.
The South trail loop has switchbacks through tiny canyons filled with tumbleweeds and surprises you with a different vista at every turn. It is really really fun and extraordinarily beautiful. When you get the top, there is the … let’s call it «Communications Array Feature,» and then if you continue a little further — wowza! bountiful fields and vineyards suddenly stretched out below you.

It’s kind of the best hiking in the Tri-​City area, and some of the only hiking. Want to climb a mountain, even if you’re chilling with sagebrush? There isn’t a better hike for you!
There are two main routes: the western slope and the northeastern face. Both routes connect near the top. You can’t miss the top: it’s the place with the cell phone and radio towers. That’s not terribly attractive…
On the other hand, it’s cool what the local community has done with the trail. The «Friends of Badger Mountain» are dedicated to making a trail up this hill, and they work often to make new trails and maintain old ones. I have a lot of respect for the way they work just to keep a place like this open and free! Respect.
Not a local, or unsure of what trails are available? Check out this map with trails and directions on how to get to them, provided by the Friends of Badger Mountain.
Although slightly more difficult to access, the northeastern trails are more attractive than the Skyline Trail, because they start from a grassy park with restrooms and water rather than, basically, an orchard parking lot. Happy trails!

Better than the Gym! Always feel proud of myself once I get to the top!

Living in the Tri-​Cities, you don’t really have a great scope of what the area looks like until you take a hike up Badger and see relatively far in all directions, seeing Hanford to the north, Blue Mountains if it’s a really crisp day, as well as the Tri-​Cities itself.
Definitely need to go in the morning during the summer, before 11AM, and bring some water along. It’s a long trail, whichever side you take up, and it can be exhausting.
This was part of my own health kick, getting in shape over the span of six months, so the hill provided a great walk without the blandness of city streets. It’s hard the first few times, but if you make it a regular effort, you adapt to it and enjoy it.
Overall, key points: It’s hard the first few times, but the view is amazing. Bring water, go up early, and do it at least once if you’ve lived here forever.

In southern California, we live by the mantra: Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.
It doesnt matter how much you spend on clothes or who designed them, if you are overweight, you are not going to look good. Piercings and tattoos cant make you look better in a bathing suit.
Remember, the only person who prevents you from staying in shape is you. Not a professor, parent or law enforcement officer. You dont need consent and there isnt a minimum score on an entrance exam. Nope. Just YOU vs. YOU. Its sad how many people value 45 minutes of eating over hours of being healthy and looking their best. Life is simply more enjoyable when you feel and look good.
There are four flaws in my argument, however. That mantra is almost true. Guinness, bacon, ice cream and cheese are known exceptions to this.
After moments of weakness (and/​or weekend binges) there is a way to recover from your debauchery. Badger Mountain.
This may be the easiest way to burn 700+ calories and tone your core, butt and leg muscles. A one hour investment is all you need.
The cost to transform your body is nothing. Start at Badger Mountain today. Who knows, by summer time, you could be catching the attention of someone you thought was out of your league.

I have gone here many a time. It is hot, barren, yet it is the TC area. No one can escape hot barren unles syou leave til November. and then its still barren! Thetrail opens and allows for hiking instead of dusty slogs of fine dust and sand. you have a chance of walking on more solid ground. The feeling of accomplishment from the top I do nto knwo yet. I remained in the park and part way up on my sojourns. This is a story for another day.

‚What a cool concept and a symbol of local action for the good of the community. A few years ago, Badger Mountain was in danger of becoming overcome with development (why do people need big houses on top of beautiful places). In 2003, a big chunk of land on Badger Mountain was bought up by «Friends of Badger Mountain», and now the Tri-​Cities can claim to have a really cool hike close to town with awesome views for miles.
I’ve jogged up/​hiked this trail at the trailhead off of Dallas Road (NW side of Badger Mountain). The parking area is nice, and it looks like they are getting ready to put up a nice big sign/​bulletin board next to the trailhead.
Basically one can follow a trail all the way up to the top of Badger Mountain. There is the cool new trail which has gravel for footing and bigger rocks for bordering. You can take this trail all the way up to the opposite side of Badger Mountain (SE side?). There is a road which also goes up the mountain, so you can also take that up — but I think the trail is where its at. It has switchbacks, you walk among the sage brush, and get some awesome views.
The trip up turned out to be around 2-​miles. I jogged it with my dogs (they were totally hatin’ it after the first mile, but they made it up). I was surprised at how many people were out. Ran into about 10 – 15 people on the trail alone. It was a bit breezy, but it was a clear day and very nice out. Could see the entire Tri-​Cities, several vineyards, LIGO (my work), Hanford site…
On top of Badger Mountain are cell and microwave towers, and that’s about it. For the trip down, I walked it (didn’t want to overdo it for my legs). All in all this is a great hike!