Dirty Harry’s Balcony is a place to avoid on weekends or, in fact, during the week if you start after 10. In addition to the hiking trail (it goes all the way to the summit of Dirty Harry’s Peak) there are numerous rock climbing options (see the track below) and so, on the weekends, the parking lot overflows towards SE Homestead Valley Road.
Today, though, I left the car at 6:50 and saw no one on the way up. I saw about six people on the way down, most of them when I got near the lot.
When I was hiking with Derek and Camden on Saturday we were talking about hikes we could do with Camden. He is only 6 and has a somewhat limited range. I suggested Dirty Harry’s Balcony, as it is only 4.7 miles round-trip. Today, though, I was reminded just how rocky the trail is for much of its length:
Most of this hike is in the forest but there are some eastern views along the way, and there is one stretch that features a great southern view:
There is also a superb view of McClellan Butte and the Duke and Duchess of Kent:
A very good workout, lots of fun, track below.
