Creekside Loop at Mount SiRecent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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After living in Seattle 10 years finally decided to climb Mt. Si. The forecast was for clearing, but it...
After living in Seattle 10 years finally decided to climb Mt. Si. The forecast was for clearing, but it was 65 and 1,000 ft overcast when I started at 9am. I thought the trail would be lonely on a gray Monday, but within 40 minutes of starting I met my first fellow climbers (runners) heading down. The trail is easy to follow, more like a boulevard, and the cool temprature and mist was pleasant for hiking. Was hoping to break out of the clear at the top, but was still socked in when I reached the summit at 11:15. Not too cold, so I decided to hang around and hope for some views. While it never cleared, windows in the clouds opened and I was rewarded with some dramatic glimpses of North Bend. Perhaps because of the weather, there were no bugs at all.
I climbed the summit pyramid and enjoyed the challenge - the blowing mist added to the excitement. Although it says so in every guide book, I will repeat here -- the summit scramble is not for kids, or the faint of heart -- a fall would be very, very bad. By the time I descended there were many more hikers heading up and lots of runners passing me going down. Just below Snag Flats, I took the trail marked "Creek" - in fact this is not just a 50 yard walk to the water, but an alternative, and I would say superior way down. Ten minutes from the creek I reached the Talus traverse with a nicely formed bench from which to appreciate the views down. The trail continued pleasantly down and is much quieter, narrower, moister, and more trail-like than the main road down. This side track rejoins the mail trail about 0.6 from the trail head at 1,400 ft elevation. All in all a great hike. I would hate to see the crowds on a sunny Saturday. Day hike
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Just thought I would report that "climbing aids" for snow are no longer necessary. While there is a patch...
Just thought I would report that "climbing aids" for snow are no longer necessary. While there is a patch of snow in the upper basin between the Valley View bench and the bench just before the Haystack climb - no problems.
While there is a lack of snow, there is no lack of people. When I returned down to the parking lot around 1pm, there were cars parked everywhere making exiting the parking lot a lot like jogging around the hikers on the trail. Loved the sun spotlighting ferns in the woods. Bleeding heart and other early spring blooms were in evidence. It remains a workout for those in any shape.
Mt Si
— May 18, 2009
— PNA
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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The trail (both the main trail and "talus loop") is dry and clear all the way up to...
The trail (both the main trail and "talus loop") is dry and clear all the way up to the clearings just before the summit, where there is a bit of mud. You have to cross some snow if you want to get to the Haystack route, but the climb itself is completely clear. Nice views of Seattle, Bellevue and Mt. Rainier before the clouds moved in in the evening.
There are lots of salmonberry blooming down low, some huckleberries, spring beauty, and yellow violets scattered here and there, trillia both low and just before the summit. A few winter wrens, a chipmunk, and the ever present jays at the summit were the only animals I saw.
Mt Si
— May 17, 2009
— jim
Day hike
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Good workout and great views of Rainier, Olympics, Seattle, Snoqualmie valley. Trail is in good condition thanks to WTA...
Good workout and great views of Rainier, Olympics, Seattle, Snoqualmie valley. Trail is in good condition thanks to WTA and other volunteers. Not that many people and very social and friendly today. Lots of smiling going on. A little snow on the trail just before the valley overview and haystack but no problem walking on it. I was amazed at the number of people wearing blue jeans on this warm slightly muggy day. That's gotta be uncomfortable!
Mt Si
— Apr 18, 2009
— Just a hiker
Day hike
Issues:
Snow on trail
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I have not reported in quite a while - Fall, actually. Reasons abound including having to register/log-on.
Did it two...
I have not reported in quite a while - Fall, actually. Reasons abound including having to register/log-on.
Did it two weeks ago and the snow started in earnest about a switchback below Snag Flats and put on the YakTraks at Snag Flats. Today the snow level had moved up substantially and started about a switchback or so below the 3 mile point more or less - I refuse to look at the distance markers although I know pretty much where I am - BELOW the top with more to go! Only a few folks passed our very separated party of three on the way up. Went up past the "valley view benches" to the bench just where the trail to the Haystack begins. Filtered sun and a hazy view of Rainier. Down as one might expect was slippery but the Yaktraks were adequate although on the steeper sections I used steps off to the side of the packed track. A good day for an outing and I'm sure I will feel it for a few more days. I would seriously recommend poles and some kind of traction devices - I'm amazed there are not a number of fractured wrists or bums!!!! |
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