[Hide Comment] HEADS UP: This area is not included in the area closures at HF this summer, but I noticed a falcon nest there that looks active (not that I know jack about birds). NPS has been made aware. Jun 23, 2015

[Hide Comment] For those looking to get to Balcony Jr. from Balcony Rock, my advice is to not go uphill directly from the top of Balcony Rock. There looks to be a trail there when you start from the top, but it has been washed out in places before picking up again. There is an easier trail to take if you go left at the boulder right before the base of Balcony Rock. So if coming from Sandy Hook Rd., you'll come across a boulder where you can see Balcony Rock and a trail to the base of it on the right and a trail leading off to the left, you want the left trail. The trail isn't marked, but will be much easier than scrambling through loose rock and leaves. May 31, 2016

[Hide Comment] @JacobDE , Thanks Jacob. Your description is correct. The way you described is the way that has been lightly groomed over time in the hopes of establishing a common approach to Balcony Jr. Going the way you described spreads the hill climb over the whole distance rather than climbing uphill all at once up front. Jun 15, 2016

[Hide Comment] Hey, does anyone know about the new trail that has been put in that runs from near the top of Balcony Rock and heads *straight* over to the base of Balcony Jr? This new trail forks off right from the trail that comes up from the turnaround drive, just above where the "Train Song" block is. The new trail which has been cut into the hillside, heads straight over, flat and level, to the base of Balcony Jr. It definitely eliminates the steep bushwhack hill climb up to Balcony Jr from Balcony, and makes accessing Jr much more pleasant. Jan 2, 2017

[Hide Comment] Parking Update: officers are ticketing anyone that parks in the school bus turnaround even on weekends.
New Trail: there is an EMS access trail that runs from the school bus turnaround to the top of balcony and finally to Balcony Jr. It is well developed and makes the hike to jr much gentler. However, I believe it's also one reason why they are enforcing parking restrictions more strickly.

Trying parking under/around the bridge on sandy hook or at the MARC station in town and walk the foot bridge over the river. Mar 25, 2017

[Hide Comment] Thank you Access Fund and all else involved for getting Harper's Ferry open to climbing again on the Maryland side. I was told you were allowed to park at the bus turnaround for Balcony and Balcony Jr., but we got a ticket there today. Jan 1, 2020

[Hide Comment] The uphill slog is brutal, and unnecessary. Go to Balcony Rock, hike up the left side to the top, then go a little farther up, on a lightly treaded path, then left to follow the relatively straight and flat trail to the base of Balcony Jr. Watch out for the big jaggers on the trees and shrubs, and be careful on the slippery leaves an dirt. Feb 10, 2024