Badger Pass Variation - 5/15/25

Techno Trail Descent

View nearing bottom of Techno Trail

Ascent to Techno Trail junction on Badger

View back from previous photo's Ascent

Years ago, we hiked a Badger Pass Loop on many a Saturday morning. It was short, had an abundance of views and a little elevation gain. Parking at the Badger Pass Trailhead not far up the Cottonwood Valley Road, we would join the Techno Trail and climb over the hill to Badger Pass. The return descended the switchbacks to Red Valley Trail which would then, in turn, return us to the cars. That was a beginner hike. Over the years, our bodies adjusted to much more challenging hikes and we rarely visited Badger Pass in any configuration. Returning to our roots, this entry's hike not only visits Badger Pass but takes those beginning trails and extends the route. We began at the Cottonwood Valley Road Trailhead that is located on the south side of SR 160 and sports a park maintained restroom. It is not too far west from the Late Night Trailhead. Bicyclists and off-roaders use the trails that emanate from this large rough dirt parking lot. We added hiking to the users.

Badger Trail among the Bird Spring Formation

Badger Trail heading toward Badger Pass

View back on Badger Trail

Last ascent to Badger Pass

We headed out to the east by bushwhacking it to connect with the Badger Trail that runs straight (north/south) about 1/3 mile from the trailhead. It was the shortest distance between two points. We turned right on the Badger Trail and climbed a hill up to the Badger / Techno junction and continued on the Badger. This trail took us between two large hills and ran between those hills and the higher Bird Springs Range. After another 0.9 mile, we made our final climb to Badger Pass. Continuing straight here leads you down the switchbacks to Red Valley. A sharp left takes you up to a peak in the Bird Spring Range. We took our photos then turned up to the right connecting onto the Techno Trail, a beautiful fun trail that climbs up and over a large hill winding its way down the other side to the area of the Badger Pass Trailhead. Nearing the bottom of the hill, there are a couple of trails that junction off to the left that we ignored. One goes to the first side of the BP TH and the next goes to the other side of the old BP TH. It was tempting to turn at the last one but we continued to a trail indicator on down a little ways. 

Three Lady Hikers at Badger Pass

Small ascent on Techno Trail with Badger Trail below Right

Mt. Potosi from Techno High Point

Sandstone Bluffs from Techno Trail

An obscure, less worn trail turns to the left here. This is the connector trail that takes hikers and bikers zigzagging up and across the Cottonwood Valley Road that lies not too far away. At the road, we crossed and found ourselves at a trail junction that appears as a campsite, although there is a "No Camping" sign here. The trail continues through the "campsite" and straight up the hill toward Mt. Potosi. (No worries. We were not going to reach the mountain!) Up the trail, we came to a fork. You can take either forked direction. We veered to the right. This led us around and up a small hill and junctioned with the trail that we had left at the fork. Now, just a little further up the trail, there is a right turn marked by rocks. We turned right onto what I will call the Lower Deadhorse Trail. If you peruse the maps below, you will see that a parallel trail runs above this lower trail. This upper trail continues down the valley to the south and, at one time anyway, was named the Deadhorse Trail. These trails are well worn by bicyclists and easy to follow. 

Low Point on Techno Trail nearing Badger Pass Trailhead

Starting Crossover Trail up to Cottonwood Valley Road

View back at Crossover and Techno Trails Junction

Campsite Junction at Cottonwood Valley Road

Our trail dipped into a large gulley and rose again to an area where we could see our trailhead to the east. We continued along the trail until we junctioned with the road/trail that runs parallel to SR 160. A right turn headed us toward a huge 3-poled powerline. We passed that and nearing the trailhead, we came to a small trail that turned to the right leading us back toward the parking lot. It was a pleasantly cool day so the shadeless trail bore gorgeous views that were not marred by hot sun. We had fun!

Stats: 5 miles; 800' gain; 2.75 hours

Trail Junction (Campsite Trail / Lower Deadhorse)

Interesting Tidbits

Trail from Lower Deadhorse to Trailhead