Great hike with decent scenery and physical challenge!
We arrived at the trailhead around 10AM and found plenty of parking available. A single outhouse at the trailhead was in decent condition, well-stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, which is always appreciated.
The balcony trail is well-marked and easy to follow, featuring several additional cliff trails to explore. It’s quite rocky, so I was glad to have hiking poles and sturdy boots with ankle support. On the other hand, my trail partner had poles with them but didn't use them. Along the way, we passed a beautiful section with wildflowers in bloom, adding a splash of color to the hike. There are also several wildflowers along the sunnier parts of the trail and on the balcony itself.
The views from the balcony are decent (you look down over I90 and several peaks in the distance); we stopped at the lower/main balcony viewpoint for a sunny lunch break, which was delightful.
On the way back, we explored the first couple of miles of Dirty Harry's Peak. This trail is clearly marked near the top by the balcony and offers a good elevation gain per mile, along with fun creek crossings (definitely will prefer waterproof shoes). Both the balcony and peak trails provide a solid workout and a rich variety of mountain and forest scenery.
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