Dirty Harry's Connector

I walked the user maintained trail between the Ira Spring trail parking area and Dirty Harry's Balcony (and back). It's five or six miles round trip, and is a mostly flat traverse across the lower flanks of West Defiance Ridge (Putrid Pete's and Webb Mtn). This trail doesn't have a real name. I think it needs one. I think the West Defiance Trail would be good, its more accurate than just Dirty Harry Connector.

Anyways...trail is looking really good right now, no blocking, no brush, much easier to follow than it was last year at this time. The section closest to the balcony is the roughest, some steep and slippery parts. From the Ira Spring, walk to the first switchback, and go straight where the trail turns up hill to the right. Pass the 1st junction at .5 miles (to exit 42) and at about 1.5 miles there is a marked junction, uphill to the right goes to Putrid Pete, down to the left is the connector to the balcony. The trail is easy to follow and crosses some streams. Eventually you'll enter a dark, open forest with absolutely no underbrush. Very cool place, make sure you look at where you came from because this is the only part that is a little confusing on the way back. The trail leads over to a rocky outcrop and then continues on over to the balcony. The outcrop has a nice view and is worth the little side bushwack to get over on it.

I had planned to go to Mt Catherine today, but had to turn back when the Prius proved no match for the snowy access road to Windy Pass, so...fyi. 4x4 would work with no problem. Will be a few weeks of warm weather before that melts.

A pleasant, mossy hike on primitive trail.

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