Dirty Harrys Peak

"Decided to try Dirty Harry's Peak with the Mountain Goats. Everyone turned back at the creek (2.8 miles in) - boys broke trail in fresh snow to the summit. Cold and snowing a bit at the top. Lots of trees so not much of a view, but a great winter hike/snowshoe. Lower trail snow free and very nicely maintained and marked (new, I guess?) Lots of side trails for climbing walls marked as well. Nice close alternative to Si, Washington, etc. for a quick one near Seattle" — BryHong8 • Dec 27, 2018

"Went up from the parking lot way down close to the freeway. Trail was in great shape, especially the new trail up to three balcony, which starts right after the one-lane bridge. Trail past three balcony was a bit rock-covered, but also easy. Not much space at the top." — mathiasricken • Sep 29, 2018

"3400 ft gain, 10.3 miles, 6:30 hrs. This trail is really in need of some maintenance; there are so many loose rocks all along the trail because of the effect of water after heavy rains. There are a few sections that are just stream-bed, but in most places the water could be diverted easily off the trail into the adjacent hillside. Last week I followed the little trail to DH Balcony, where it ends at a scenic outcropping (if I-90 is to be considered scenery). On the Green Trails map, however, it indicates DHB as a small local peak. So, I bushwhacked from the junction of the DBH trail straight south and up, to the true DHB. There is a fire ring and an old wash tub here, and it's possible to go east to the new DHB outcropping, but the trail is not well defined at all. On 11/10 I came up to DBH on a trail that goes by Squishy Bell and Winterblock, and this trail did go over the true DHB. In the morning there was ice on the standing water, temperatures in 30's and 40's. Ran into one couple on the way up to the peak; they said there was more snow, but it wasn't more than 6 inches deep, and there were several sets of footprints up to the top. The view north from the peak..." — markgarrett • Nov 25, 2015

"Another day where a more ambitious itinerary was shortened due to conditions. We intended to do the full ridge to Mailbox via Dirty Box, but ended up turning around after being thwarted by a steep section that we could not safely navigate in the snow. The trail (an old logging road) is nothing exciting, but it was still a beautiful day amid the noble firs up top!" — TynanRammGranberg • Nov 11, 2015

"My buddy Paul and I have had a bit of a vendetta against West Defiance Ridge ever since we attempted to traverse it from Mailbox Peak to Mount Defiance 2 years ago and had to bail and head Down Dirty Harry's Peak disappointed and in fading light. The problem that day was very poor visibility due to thick, low cloud cover, which made our route finding completely reactive to what the ridge presented to us in the moment at hand. This caused much delay and even considerable amounts of backtracking as we made our way from Mailbox Peak nearly to Web Peak before turning back and taking the trail down Dirty Harry's Peak. Today's weather called for sunshine and temps in the upper 80s, so we were confident the route finding should present no problem, but were anticipating a very hot day since we were to be exposed to the sun nearly the entire way between Dirty Harry's Peak and Mount Defiance. Despite knowing what we were getting ourselves into, I still failed to fully prepare myself for the heat. 6 liters of water/Gatorade for 6 peaks did not cut it. Anyway, without further ado lets jump into the trip. First up was Mailbox Peak. No big deal. Some good conversation and we were th..." — Al-Rashid • Aug 10, 2014

"We found Dirty Harry's Museum on the way up. When the trail crosses Museum Creek, at about 3000 ft, walk upstream along the creek. After 20-30 yards, look for the overgrown remains of a logging road to the right and follow that (marked with cairns) for about 1/3 of a mile. It starts out fairly level and has one switchback before you reach Dirty Harry's truck." — immediately • Sep 29, 2012

"Patchy skies with occasional sun breaks made this a great hiking day. The peak has limited views to the East and West, nothing to the south, but a beautiful shot of Russian Butte and Revolution peak. Lots of water on the trail today, a few blowdowns and some very thick patches of overgrowth in the last few switchbacks to the top. I didn't get wet enough that I couldn't dry out in the sun at the top, but I wouldn't recommend this one after a rain if there's no sun to be had." — Jeb • Sep 16, 2011

"Bursting out onto Dirty Harrys Balcony we were treated to the first sunshine of the day. After admiring the fine views of I-90 and fending off a hungry chipmunk, we continued up the Dirty Harrys Peak Trail. A lot of snowmelt running down the trail past Museum Creek. Hit first snow on trail around 4100 ft. It's deep, but just follow the boot-tracks in the soft snow, no crampons/axe/snowshoes required. The boot-skiing down sped the descent, but the lower portion of the trail requires constant concentration since it's rocky like a dry riverbed the whole way. By the time you hit the paved road for the last half mile you'll be glad to be back on something smooth." — scott • Jul 3, 2011