Search trip reports
untitled-8.jpg

Trip Report    

Day hike - Dirty Harry's Balcony and Museum

A friend and I enjoyed a leisurely 6 mile/2000' trip with my dog Ajax to the Museum and Balcony, first on the trail at 7:45 but plenty of folks and their dogs coming up afterward. Beautiful day.

Courtenay Schurman Courtenay Schurman
May 09, 2025
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • A friend and I met at 7:30 for a 6+ mile/2000' trip to the Museum and Balcony. Only 3 cars were in the parking lot when we arrived but the lot was full when we got down around 11:30. The restroom was open but graffitied and could use a good cleaning, including removal of waste from the latrine. Fortunately there was TP. Double-checking that we each had Discover Passes showing, we headed up with my dog around 7:45 to a warbling vireo and Hammond flycatcher greeting us on the walk-up to the trail. The bugs were noticeable at the Museum, not too bad otherwise. Only came back with one mosquito bite. 

    untitled-7.jpg

We took a nasal-breathing pace (1.8 mph) and enjoyed Dirty Harry's Museum first (a destination my partner had never been to before) -- zero snow to the lowest stream -- and stopped at the Balcony for a bite on the way down.

untitled-5.jpg

Bleeding hearts, trillium, and Indian paintbrush are in bloom, and we had 4 different warbler species and 2 flycatchers, but not nearly as many birds (16 species) as I expected at this time of year.  I also heard what sounded to me like a pica.

We had perfect conditions, mid-50's and sun, and the trail was in great shape...except for 6 poop bags we collected on our way down. I thought all the dogs coming up were with experienced pet owners (quite likely NOT Mountaineers) but please, people, here are some VERY IMPORTANT Leave No Trace reminders:

1. LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS AND TAKE ONLY PHOTOS.

2. PACK OUT WHATEVER YOU PACK IN, INCLUDING DOG WASTE BAGS. Nobody (especially not other dog owners) wants to see them, even if you're convinced you'll pick them up on the way out. If I can carry my dog's poop up and back down from minute 8, so can everyone else. I retrieved and packed out at least 6 bags of fresh poop so I know they were from those following us up.You're welcome.

3. LEAVE THE WOODS LOOKING BETTER THAN WHEN YOU TRAVEL THROUGH. Protect our lovely home -- for the animals, birds, and for everyone else trying to recreate in nature. Preserve and protect for all to enjoy before our trails become like any city street.