To get there, it is exit 38 off of I-90 eastbound. Take this road all the way until it ends in the Discover Pass parking zone. Note, you can park along the street (like we did) before the sign requiring the pass if you do not have one. Plenty of other hikers did this. The entrance is directly right of the poster board. You will have to take this until it ends at a road. Follow the road (left and up, obviously) a half mile or so and you will see the trail's entrance on the right hand side in between 2 concrete slabs.
From here it is 1.5 miles to the junction to the balcony. This is an old logging road. When I say that, it needs to be understood that it is a well overgrown and washed out logging road. Most of it has a creek running through it. Hence, it is so washed out most of the hike is like walking atop an old rocky riverbed, since a lot of the dirt has been washed out.
The trail from beginning to end is very well marked by artifacts, along with tree branch piles blocking spur trails that are not the right way to aid with confusion. It is nearly impossible to miss the balcony junction, but just in case look out for a piece of rotary machinery on the right and a cable along a tree that has rocks piled around it.
The elevation gain to the balcony is a very mild 1200 ft. The views are amazing over the I-90 corridor and to majestic McClellan Butte directly in front of you. To the left side you will see parts of P3/Putrid Pete's Peak. Behind you, you can see the summit and I also believe Coincidence Point (also attainable through this trail).
Balcony
Balcony
Balcony
Getting back onto the trail from the balcony it is an ADDITIONAL 2.25 miles to summit; however, only half a mile to the museum, where you will see the truck. I mention the distance because there are differing sources of distance - anywhere from 6 miles RT to 10 miles RT to summit. I am getting my information from the parks' poster on the board at the parking lot. This means that to summit the total trip from parking to summit and back is a bit over 8 miles. We were thinking 6 miles and let me tell you it was the longest 6 miles ever (because for us having parked further away it was more like 8.5 miles). We met a man coming back who said he never did find the rest of the way up to summit -- namely because he was expecting a much shorter trip than it actually was. Again, why I thought the reader would appreciate knowing just how long the hike really is, per official posting in the parking lot. The top right of the picture actually says RT 8.5 miles.
To find the museum (half a mile further from the balcony junction), you will cross a good-flowing stream -- just in case of water run-off making possible confusion on the stream, you will see a cable to the right, directly before the stream. The boot path trail is directly to your right past the creek. You will have to navigate back through the stream in order to find the path that leads back there. This is where our 2 older children and our guest stayed (venturing the museum and relaxing by the creek) while Brant, baby, and I went to summit.
Creek
Creek
The elevation gain here is a bit more rough, as is the terrain. Most of the hike now is on a creeky bed -- wear waterproof shoes! It is must! You tackle another 2000 ft elevation gain in this short distance. The rocky bed is what makes it very exhausting. All the adjustments of balance makes for a bigger workout. There are points where it appears there are junctions. These are false for this summit, as you will note branches covering entrances to said sidetrails. The one thing I love about this trail is that is shows hikers looking out for fellow hikers. The path is easy to navigate if you look out for these sorts of signs. You will switch back and forth for what seems to be endlessly. I was pretty darn beat. Towards the summit I was traveling an insanely slow pace. It took us an hour to go that last mile and a half. Eeks! I guess I was almost crawling. I do love to be served up a good beating while hiking. Again, this did not disappoint. Alas, we made it to the summit, which does offer 180 degree views as promised. The trail ends at a rock edge that makes the summit. Directly below is the larger of Granite Lakes. Fellow hikers told us light scrambling to your left will give you views of Rainier.
Total trip was accomplished in 6 hours 15 minutes. We didn't take the kids to summit. I barely made it under that very warm, non-overcast sun, so it was a good decision to not even try the children. No hiking poles needed, but we did pick up a stick each along the way. Exiting the trailhead, I saw piles of solid sticks. I realized then, leaving, that these were hiking sticks from previous hikers, leaving them there (one reason) for starter hikers. Once again, hikers looking out for hikers. :-)
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