Dirty Harry's Balcony

Nov. 4, 2010



After my morning appointment and a stop at the VA COBC (community-based outpatient clinic) for a blood draw to check my PSA (3 month interval), C.J. and I headed out to take advantage of the last of the brief Indian summer. We hiked up at rough trail, more streambed than trail, to "Dirty Harry's Balcony". No, not that Dirty Harry, but some logger who had clearcut the area 40 or 50 years ago. The balcony, a rock outcrop about 1.5 mi and 1200 ft above where we started gave a scenic view of the I-90 corridor toward Snoqualmie Pass. It was pretty late by the time we reached that point and the sun was about to set behind Mt. Washington and the Cascade foothills so the lighting was dramatic. However, it was starting to get a bit chilly especially as the wind was picking up. We managed to get back down the rocky trail before it got too dark to see and home in time for a drink and supper. That was likely the last chance we'll have to start out so late on a hike this year as the daylight savings time ends this weekend.