One of Tri-Cities most popular hiking spots to get a 2nd trailhead
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Benton County and a Kennewick developer will build a 30-space trailhead.
- Project sites lie on county land beside Ridge at Candy Mountain near Kennedy Road.
- Construction awaits SEPA review; Friends of Badger Mountain will build trail link.
Fans of Candy Mountain in West Richland will soon have a second way to access the popular local hiking trail.
Benton County is teaming with a Kennewick developer to construct a new trailhead with about 30 parking spots near an existing municipal water tank to boost access to the Candy Mountain Preserve Trail.
The trailhead will be built on county-owned property next to the Ridge at Candy Mountain, an upscale West Richland subdivision above Kennedy Road.
BMB Development, owned by Brad Beauchamp, built the first phase in 2018 and is now preparing 22 lots more for future homes. Beauchamp said about half the lots have sold.
Park or payment
Beauchamp, a Kennewick city councilman, agreed to partner with the city and county on a new trailhead to fulfill his company’s obligation to either build a park or make a payment to the city in lieu of one.
Benton County valued the project at about $80,000.
The gravel lot will be constructed behind an existing water tank, which is reachable from Kennedy Road via Candy Mountain Avenue, Hershey Lane and the future Reeses Lane, according to a site plan.
It is about two miles from the original trailhead off Dallas Road.
Beauchamp said construction will begin once the project clears review under the Washington state Environmental Policy Act, which is expected this month.
The project includes a set aside for a future restroom, kiosk and other trailhead amenities.
3.6 miles roundtrip
The new trailhead will connect to the main Candy Mountain trail at the spot where a series of switchbacks carry the trail to the summit.
The 3.6-mile trail gains 555 feet and reaches a height of 1,383 feet above sea level, according to the Washington Trails Association.
Friends of Badger Mountain, the nonprofit that developed trail networks on Badger, Little Badger and Candy mountains, will build the new section of trail.
Benton County acquired nearly 200 acres on Candy Mountain for the preserve with money from Friends of Badger Mountain and a matching grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
A volunteer crew created the trail in fall 2016. It opened to the public in 2016.