Dirty Harry's Peak, Dirty Harry's Balcony — Thursday, Jul. 3, 2025

Dirty Harry's Peak is always one of the first Cascade hikes of the summer for me. It's become an annual tradition to kick off the hiking season. The trail is still in great shape, though brushy in spots near the Peak. Snow is long gone. The creek crossing shortly after the Balcony was the lowest I've ever seen it. Wildflowers are mostly over between the trailhead and the Balcony, but there's a lot more in bloom approaching the Peak. I spotted foxglove, paintbrush, lupine, beargrass, and others. Lots of bird activity this time, including some active woodpeckers. Wonderful views from the top: Snowy peaks to the north, a cloud-covered Mt. Rainier to the south, and the Seattle skyline faintly visible to the west. Below, a long construction-related traffic jam snaked for miles on I-90 East. Lots of folks on the trail to the Balcony, but we only encountered one other hiker between the Balcony and the Peak. If you can, go on a weekday afternoon and you'll likely have the summit to yourself.