Badger Creek Trail #479

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming

This trail is one of the most popular trails in this wilderness and is maintained annually.

The lower trailhead for the #469 is on Forest Road 2710 just west of Bonney Crossing campground. From here, the Badger Creek Trail trail travels steadily, but easily, upward through oak and pine woods along Badger Creek to its end at its upper trailhead on Forest Road 4860 on a high saddle above Badger Lake.

The route stays relatively close to Badger Creek, crossing numerous side streams along the way. It passes a junction with the Post Camp Trail #467 about 6.7 miles from Forest Road 2710, the Badger Creek Cutoff Trail #477 at 7.5 miles, and one with the Gumjuwac Trail #480 at 8.6 miles up from the road. These junctions provide opportunities for loops or backpacks or trips using a car shuttle between trailheads.

You reach Badger Lake and the Badger Lake Campground at 10.6 miles. Many people end their trip here to enjoy the lake. But the #479 continues on up hill beyond the lake, passing a junction with the Divide Trail #458 within 0.3 miles and then continuing on up to end at Forest Road 4860. This section of the trail is rougher and less maintained than that leading up to the lake.

Watch out for rattlesnakes along the trail!