Hiked this one after work Wednesday. I'm not a huge fan of this trail because it's basically like hiking a dry riverbed most of the year, very rocky, ankle rolling type of rocks. But it's a good workout and close to home. This time of year you are actually hiking in the river, as the trail is under water much of the way higher up the mountain. Didn't quite make it to the top because I ran out of time and it was getting dark. The one creek crossing higher up (mentioned as uncrossable several weeks ago in other reports) was flowing high and fast but could be hopped over with a running start. Fresh snow near the top. I returned to my car at 9:30 to find the driver's window smashed with a rock and everything taken from my car. It looked like a tornado went through there with papers scattered everywhere and contents of my glovebox and center console thrown about mixed with chunks of glass. Unfortunately, I had all my work gear in there because I had come straight from work in order to get in a weekday hike. I went to school (Mt. Si) with these hick lowlifes so I know the routine (they used to brag about it at school when I was there back in '94). But I was in a hurry and should have stopped at home first to empty my car. Beware this and other trailheads along the 90 corridor, especially right now. With a late start to the hiking season the thieves are playing catch-up. I also saw a broken window at the Bandera trailhead on Saturday the 14th (teal Honda Civic). Sorry if that was yours, I feel your pain. The glovebox was open and again contents scattered everywhere. It is likely the same group targeting these trailheads and they typically wait until after dark or when the parking lot is mostly empty at the end of the day. When parking at a trailhead in this area, or any for that matter, it's best to leave your doors unlocked and your glovebox open so that someone outside the car can see there is nothing valuable in there. Just don't leave anything in your car at all, but the ticket to avoiding a broken window is the unlocked doors, especially if you are parking overnight. Too bad we have to worry about this sort of thing when out enjoying the wilderness.

Why bother? This old logging road is covered in loose rock for a couple of miles. If not in running water. The balcony had good views though. Just before the museum the snow was soft and the river high. No way around wet feet here, even potentially dangerous. We decided it wasn't worth it.

OK - so I'm a weather wimp! I made the call to the troops about 6:20 a.m. whining that there was tons of snow coming down on Mt. Queen Anne - not sticking, but, sniff, what if it's nasty up at Dirty Harry? Jim K and Trail Pair/Bob were unsympathetic! Get your sorry axx out and get going! Ok, Ok, but I remember all too well late last February a horrible experience on Dirty Harry. Jim K, Sadie and I headed out for a quick trip up Dirty Harry and it was lousy! About 32 degrees, raining/sleeting, windy, what more could you ask for? Well, we got about 1 mile from the summit and we called it quits! We were wet, tired of slogging through horribly mucky, heavy snow, and incredibly cold! So, my expectations were for more of the same. But, off we went for a meeting at the trailhead at 8:00 a.m. There was some slushy snow on the off-ramp (Exit 38 on I-90) and as we approached the road to the Firing Range - just in front of the gate - there were Trail Pair, Bad Dog and Mark. Apparently, the parking area near the trailhead wasn't available due to ""berms"" made by the plowing. So, we parked here and had about a 3/4 mile walk up the road. The route was in good condition - we could boot it for about 2 miles - beyond the ""Balcony"" turn. But, the snow started getting more difficult to negotiate with just boots alone, so we decided to switch to snowshoes just a little before where you have to do some ""creek hiking."" It was at this point that another hiker met up with us, Middle E. He was alone - followed along with us, until we decided to take a food break and he wanted to press on . . . I was getting a little cold, so I didn't stay long with the eating group and followed on behind Middle E (thanks for breaking trail higher up!). Along the way, we were able to catch some views - in fact, there actually was some blue sky and filtered sun as we made our way up. The stillness (and leaving I-90 noise behind) was nice. I slowed down to take more pictures and soon Mark, Kolleen, Jim and Bob caught up and Mark forged on ahead towards the summit - it wasn't far now. Just ahead, Middle E was making his way back down as we reached the summit. Once on the summit, we could see Granite Lakes and partial views up the Middle Fork Valley. A little different than my trip to Granite Lakes on Dec. 29 when it was fairly clear and partially sunny. The group decided to grab another bite to eat, but my hands were getting a little cold, so I took off and headed down. We managed to create a nice trench for the next hikers! I guess I was faster than I realized, because in about 1 1/2 miles before the trailhead I caught up with Middle E on his way out and we hiked back to the cars together. I had enough time to drive up to the trailhead and pick up TP and Jim K and take them back to the cars. Stats: 13 1/2 miles, approximately 3600'; 3 hours 20 minutes up, 1 hour 25 minutes out. I'm sooooo glad I didn't wimp out!!! Great trip when the conditions are as unstable as they were today. There is only one spot on this trip that is iffy - where you cross below the boulder field, but it seemed quite stable today. Great trip! Thanks all - including Middle E!!!

Dayhike.Wanted to do this hike after reading Will M's report of 9/30.Have been to the peak twice already this year but both times I was on snow from just after the Y.Today rain from the get go,and the raincoat stayed on the rest of the hike. Not much to add or change from 9/30 report.Traces of snow started 1/2 mile from the peak, but never covered the ground.No other hikers,no cars at TH. viggo

With a forecast of no visibility, we decided it would be a good idea to visit a summit that doesn't really have much in the way of views. Hence, Dirty Harry's Peak was the goal. We have not been there since 2004, so were a little concerned about the route. Turns out this was not a problem at all. Gary, Bear, and I arrived at the trailhead, such as it is, around 7:30. Exit 38, turn RIGHT and then left to find the road to the Fireman's Training Academy, and proceed about a half mile passed the gate that ""closes at 4:00 PM"". When you reach a small meadow on the left, and an abandonded logging road on the right with a well-defined trail and a few cement barriers, you're at the trailhead. Reports say it is at 1350' but my GPS says closer to 1400'. The summit was 4660', so a 3300' gain in about 5 miles. The trail is clear all the way, with a few minor blow downs and occasional water on the trail. We stayed left at the junction at the talus field, and it took us to the summit. The rain went from moderate to mist and back to moderate. Not bad for a Seattle winter's day. We made the summit in 2'18"", staying with a moderate pace and short water breaks every 30 minutes. True to form the views were about 1/4 mile, so only nearby peaks were visible. The trail is in excellenct shape the entire way, and I would recommend this as a nice Si-like hike without the crowds or summit views. It will become a different hike once the snows arrive.