Dirty Harry's Balcony and Peak

 Hiked up to Dirty Harry's Balcony and Peak near North Bend today. 7.6 mile round trip hike with 3,326 ft of gain.
Parking is at the Far Side Trailhead.

The trail crosses a flat area for 0.1 mile to the road that leads to the WSP Fire Training Academu.

 a short walk along the road on the bridge that crosses the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River, looking east.

 The trail then continues through the forest for 2 miles gaining about 1,200 ft to the junction with the Ira Spring Connector Trail.

a beautiful tail with many side trails leading off the climbing areas

Lots of lovely moss and interesting boulders

There are several viewpoints along the trail. McClelland Butte to the south

Further up the trail, an open area gave this view to the west and north. Wonder if this is Dirty Harry's Peak on the far right?

At the junction with the Ira Spring Connector Trail, I headed to the right for the short spur to Dirty Harry's Balcony.

View from Dirty Harry's Balcony

Returned to the main trail and went to the left to continue on the Dirty Harry's Peak Trail. From here, it is 1.7 miles with about 2,100 ft of gain. There are several small creeks running over the trail, this was the only one that was not easy to step over. The logs were easy to cross.

another view of McClelland Butte along a section of the trail with a log bench.

This stream appears to be emerging from the side of the hill.

At about 4,000 ft the trail was consistently covered in snow. It was well packed and icy in the morning. I was glad I had brought my micro spikes. From here it's about 1/4-1/2 mile with 600 ft of gain

The top of Dirty Harry's Peak was well forested. I found views by looking between trees, The ridge was snow covered, I didn't want to get too close to the edge looking out. View to the north:

I continue out to the edge of this ridge:

View to the west: this might be Dirty Box Peak

At another break in the trees, view to the south.

Someone told me there is a view of Mt Rainier on a clear day, but I did not see it.

The snow was beginning to soften as I hiked back down the trail. It was still slippery.

 I enjoy trails that appear to be heading off to distant peaks.


















Back down to the road crossing the bridge over the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River, looking west:
















only saw a few wildflowers in bloom today, mostly on the lower section of the trail: