RICHLAND -- A hike up Badger Mountain in the next couple of weeks can work out your legs, glutes, arms and philanthropy.
About 14 tons of rock were dropped at the base of the mountain last week and need to be carried about 100 yards up the trail.
As part of Dyelan Ballantyne's Eagle Scout project, the pile will be used to build a retaining wall at a section of trail where the sides are in danger of slumping off, said Jim Langdon, trailmaster for the Friends of Badger Mountain.
The rocks average the size of a soccer ball and are pretty heavy, but many already have been carried up the trail since the project began Saturday, Langdon said.
With the help of a couple of other Scouts from Troop 209 and Langdon's engineering, Ballantyne, of West Richland, built a canvas sling using a couple of poles that can carry up more than one rock at a time.
When Ballantyne checked earlier this week, he was surprised how many rocks had been taken up by volunteers.
"I like when people help with the trail work," Langdon said. "It gives them a feeling of ownership of the trails."
About 200 rocks are needed for the wall, Langdon said. He said that goal can be accomplished in a week or two because an average of 1,000 visitors hike the trail every week.
Once the rocks are carried up, Langdon expects Ballantyne to complete the retaining wall in one day with his and others' help.
A sign at the base of the trail at Trailhead Park asks hikers to help carry the rocks. Another signs designates the drop-off site and thanks volunteers for their help.
* Dalina Castellanos: 509-582-1542; dcastellanos@tricityherald.com
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Eagle Scout candidate Josh Tingey is seeking volunteers to help him lay sod on the remaining half-acre of Paws-abilities Place at Badger Mountain Park on Saturday.
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