Go ahead, hike this way. Okay, Clint Eastwood I'm not. But this hike is more entertaining than any Dirty Harry movie you'll see. It follows an old logging road up to a high bench overlooking the central section of the South Fork Snoqualmie River valley. The walking is fairly easy on this wide road-turned-trail, and the views are breathtaking. This previously unnamed peak was given its Hollywood-sounding name by wilderness advocate (and guidebook legend) Harvey Manning. The name is a backhanded memorial to Harry Gault, the logger who carved so many roads and clear-cuts into the mountains (including this one) of the Snoqualmie Valley. Dirty Harry indeed!

If, as recommended, you park outside the gate, walk the 0.5 mile up the road to the "Dirty Harry Logging Road" on the right. (Note that by walking up to this true starting point, you're far less likely to miss it.)

The next 1.5 miles of road walking is a little more exciting than the initial road, but not much. Roadside trees limit the views until you get higher, so just enjoy the exercise as you climb to 2500 feet elevation. About 2 miles from the gate (and your car), look for a faint path on the right just at the apex of a switchback to the left. This 0.5-mile-long boot trail climbs 100 feet to a rocky ledge Mr. Manning dubbed Dirty Harry's Balcony. Marvelous views sweep across the rugged mountains to the south and east. Big Mac (McClellan Butte) rises to the south. On your east flank is Bandera Mountain, while to the west Mount Washington rises into the sun.