Back in November I suffered the terrible road walk up to Dirty Harry's Bathtub. Although the tarn was worth the effort it was a reminder that I hate, hate, hate that "trail." Now, TNAB was scheduled to return to Dirty Harry's Balcony. It's not as far as the intersection with the Bathtub trail, but it was far enough to make me consider skipping the trip.
But saints be preserved, a new trail! Well, not technically a new trail, but it will be. In fact, it's mostly the same trail we tried to use back in 2010 when the kids were but tiny little monkeys.
Once we passed the big climbing rock we found the work that's already been done by WTA and the Department of Natural Resources. The invitation to the work party reads, "This project is going to involve a lot of really great rock work, rock walls and rock steps." Yup. That's what we found. A beautiful stone trail that will be able to support a ton of new hikers taking their first steps into the woods.
Unfortunately, the trail isn't done. It's a little confusing down low and up high it climbs and descends along the ridge to the Balcony. The outcrop itself provides killer views across the valley with McClellan Butte front and center and the sun was actually shining for us.
We came down the old road, which served as a more direct route and a spectacular reminder of how important trail work like this is. I've done only a little trail work, but the kids are finally old enough to participate so I expect we'll be doing more work in the future. I hope we'll see you in a hard hat soon. (Until you're ready to lend a hand, might I suggest becoming a member of WTA?)
