Badger Creek Wilderness at its Stormy Best


I have written about hiking to the old Kinzel Mine in the Badger Creek Wilderness several times in the past. The area draws me back once or twice a year.

In late April I returned to see if a bear could be found. I had a spring bear permit for the White River Unit.

As usual the bears manged to perform an excellent job of staying invisible as did the elk and deer.

But, it provided a great excuse for tackling the 16-mile out-and-back hike for 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 upper 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, butterflies and open vistas from the upper trail.

Calypso Orchids

Calypso Orchids

Lower trail among the oak trees

Lower trail among the oak trees

Kinzel Mine shaft

Kinzel Mine shaft

Shaggy Manes pushing their way up to the light

Shaggy Manes pushing their way up to the light

Dark clouds stacking up to the east

Dark clouds stacking up to the east

Skunk-cabbage

Skunk-cabbage

Headwall of Little Badge Creek

Headwall of Little Badge Creek

The old Kinzel Cabin

The old Kinzel Cabin

Oregon Anemone

Oregon Anemone

Snow above 5,200 feet

Snow above 5,200 feet

One of many blowdowns over the trail

One of many blowdowns over the trail

 

 

Categories: Oregon Cascades HikesTags: , , , ,

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