Walk through mossy forests to get a stunning perch over the pine covered mountains. Dirty Harry’s Balcony in the North Bend area of Washington is one of the best day hikes you can do from the Seattle area.
I completed this hike recently when I was looking for a day hike to do on a week day. I wanted something that was an hour or less from Seattle, was about 5 miles or less, and would feel like I had accomplished something. This hike really ticked all of those boxes.
I can see why it’s a popular trail.
I’ve written this guide so that you know exactly what to expect before you hit the trail. It includes tips on hiking to Dirty Harry’s Balcony, a detailed trail guide, and things you need to know. Happy trails everyone! 🥾
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Dirty Harry’s Balcony Trail Details
Quick Hike Details
Distance: 4.5 miles
Elevation: 1350 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 2-3 hours total
Difficulty: Moderate
Things to Know Before You Go
🎫 A Discovery Pass is required to hike this trail. You can buy one at the trailhead if you do not have one already. A one day pass is $10 and an annual pass is $45.
🅿️ There is parking at the trailhead, but it’s limited. You will want to get there early if you plan on going during summer weekends.
🦮 Dogs are welcome on the trail, but they must be kept on a leash.
⛈️ Weather can change quickly in the Pacific Northwest. Make sure to pack waterproof layers and check the forecast before you go.
📲 I recommend downloading the trail map on either Alltrails or the WTA Trailblazer app.
🐻 This area is known to have wildlife like bears, cougars, and deer. If you see wildlife, make sure to give them plenty of space. And please, report if you happen to see any mountain goats in the area!
🌿 Remember to always follow the Leave No Trace Principles to allow everyone to enjoy the trail!
Best Time to Hike This Trail
Dirty Harry’s Balcony is a fantastic day hike that is open year round.
It’s in the Snoqualmie region, which means that the best time to hike it is from late spring to early fall. Once it warms up a bit in Washington, the trees come to life and there’s great scenery on the trail.
We hiked up there on the cusp of summer and fall and we had perfect conditions. The temperature was in the 60s, green still hung on all the trees, and blackberries lined the start of the path.
In the winter, this area can get very icy and snowy. So, if you plan on hiking this trail please prepare accordingly. Bring microspikes or snowshoes and check conditions before you head out!
How to Get to Dirty Harry’s Balcony
Luckily, Dirty Harry’s Balcony Trailhead is conveniently located right off of i-90.
No matter what direction you’re coming from, you’ll end up taking i-90 to Westbound exit 38 Washington State Fire Training Academy. So, if you are driving from Seattle, you’ll need to make a u-turn past the exit to get there.
The trail is just off to the right once you get off the exit. There is a parking area at the trailhead with a pit toilet tucked away and the trailhead sign right at the beginning of the path.
Trail Essentials
I would say that this trail is your very typical Washington hike.
It can be moody or misty at times and of course, rain is common in the area. So I never go on a hike here without bringing my rain coat. You really never know when you may need it!
Otherwise, I believe most regular hikers will feel comfortable on this trail. You do not need any special equipment, but you may want hiking poles because it can get steep at times. I’ve written my suggestions on what to bring below.
Day Hike Packing List
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Water Reservoir
- 1 Liter of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Bug Spray
- Rain jacket
- Discovery Pass
Dirty Harry’s Balcony Trail Guide
Over the Bridge
Once you start on the trail, you’ll walk through a short forested trail. But, soon the forest will open up to a road with a bridge over a river.
I was confused about where to go when I got there, but luckily I had the trail downloaded to check.
Once you get to the road way, turn left and walk over the river. Then, another trailhead sign will appear on your right. Turn onto the trail and follow the river for a short distance. It’s a peaceful start to the hike.
There are a number of trails and rock climbing routes that shoot off from this path. For the majority of the time follow the Dirty Harry Peak Trail (DPHT) signs.
Through the Forest
Once you’re deeper in the forest, moss covered trees will begin to appear all around you. I felt as if I was hiking through the Fern Gully (if you know you know) as I continued on.
Once the trail passes the river, it starts to get steeper right away. There are a number of different climbs including some longer switchbacks, stairs, and rocky steps.
The trail gains about 1000 feet in 1.5 miles, so it’s definitely steep. But, there are great points to look out at the mountains and the surrounding area. I am not currently in shape because of a mcl strain, and I didn’t find the climb to be too hard.
Off to the Balcony
For most of the trail, there are signs for the Dirty Harry Peak Trail. But once you get to just under 2 miles in, you’ll start to see signs for Dirty Harry’s Balcony. This is where the turn-off happens.
Make sure to look ahead for those signs, because there a few different turns that you will need to make. If you miss the signs, you may get onto the wrong path.
With just a few hundred feet left, the trail heads up to a rocky outcrop. I was a bit nervous up there, so I took my time and walked slowly over the rocks.
From there, we took a long break to enjoy the views over the surrounding area. There are rocky mountains, pine covered peaks, and the highway that curves below. It’s a wonderful pay-off for a quick day hike.
Final Tips for This Hike
Honestly, I think that Dirty Harry’s Balcony is accessible for most fit individuals. This trail wasn’t too challenging and it was mostly on a standard path as well. There weren’t any obstacles you necessarily need to overcome.
So, my biggest tip for this hike is to get there early, so you can claim a spot and avoid crowds on the trails. Because it’s just about an hour from Seattle, it can be very popular. So, heed my advice and enjoy your excursion!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this blog post!
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Honestly, Dirty Harry’s is one I’ve always overlooked on the way to the bigger I-90 hikes, even though it’s right there. Your post is a good reminder that I need to finally get out there, and I’m saving that early Exit 38 parking tip for when I do.