Last fall I published a blog post about hiking to the old Kinzel Mine in the Badger Creek Wilderness. Since then I have had multiple questions and requests for more information about the area.

Later I published a blog post reflecting on a hike taken there in the summer of 2010.

This spring I returned to the area, making the 16-mile out-and-back hike on the entire length of the Little Badger Creek Trail.

This is about the most enjoyable mid-elevation hike around. A portion of the trail follows the burbling stream along the valley bottom, reaching the remains of the Kinzel Cabin near a pleasant campsite after four miles.

Nearby is the old Kinzel mine shaft entering the canyon wall for about 80 feet.

After a tough ascent to the top of the ridge, the trail continues to climb to over a mile high at its end where it meets the Divide Trail. There was still snow on the ground in areas.

On the return hike, I enjoyed the wild orchids, lilies, chipmunks, mule deer and many varieties of butterflies.

A big thumbs up to the Badger Creek Wilderness!