Parking
Arrived to the Trailhead Park parking lot around 7:30am to plenty of spaces in the lot. Departed around 9:15 and there was still parking available.
Route
Ascended via the Canyon Trail. Kicked around at the top along the Skyline Trail for a little bit taking in views every direction, then descended via the Sagebrush Trail.
Trail
The trail was, as always, in excellent condition. Thank you to the Friends of Badger Mountain for your hard work in maintaining and improving this beautiful park.
Flora
I'm no expert in shrub-steppe plants (would love to learn!) but did see some tiny shrub flowers, not sure if sage or something else. The world around here is getting to be pretty dry this time of year. Still, I had to stop and stare a couple points at the vivid contrasts of golden grass, green brush, and blue sky. What a sight!
Fauna
In the first half mile entering into the canyon, there was a whole family of chukars chattering and scurrying around just across the ravine. Dragonflies buzzed the lower Sagebrush Trail.
Views
After so many days of smoky air in both Seattle and Tri-Cities, it was so incredible to see some blue sky this morning! Haze was still significant despite the breathable air. From the top we could see the lower pillars of the Cable Bridge but not any of its superstructure. Could see out to Rattlesnake and Horse Heaven Hills, but no views of any distant mountains beyond the immediate, somewhat ambiguous horizon.
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