Little Si
Last modified
Sep 03, 2010 05:47 PM
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Rock climbers use the first half of this trail to get to the rock faces on the east end of Little Si. Hikers use the full trail to sweep around the west end and climb the tall knob on the easier (though still a bit rocky) route. Like its big sibling, Mount Si, Little Si offers phenomenal views of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley after a nice hike through forests and over rocks. The trail is steep initially, then mellow, then steep again as it scrambles straight up the northern spine to the 1576-foot summit.
This area was logged extensively, but in the intervening decades the forest has regenerated nicely, and a diverse collection of evergreens and deciduous trees shade the trail. As you near the hulk of rocky bluff known as Little Si, the trail levels off into a swampy area. Small streams link bogs filled with trillium and skunk cabbage. The trail is generally high and dry, though you will encounter an area of mud or three. At around 1.5 miles, views open up onto the high, craggy rock of the southeastern face of Little Si. You might see rock climbers crawling up the rock routes here. Continue along the trail as it loops north and then west to the gentler north face of Little Si. The trail turns and runs straight up this northern spine, climbing steeply up the rocky ridge--you'll be forced to use your hands at times as you scramble up the biggest rocks--until finally capping out on the 1576-foot summit on the southern edge of the rocky prominence. Enjoy stellar views of the North Bend valley before heading back the way you came. Recent Trip Reports
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Little Si
— Aug 25, 2010
— natureboy
Day hike
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My first time to do this hike---I had always wondered about it as I passed the trailhead on the way...
My first time to do this hike---I had always wondered about it as I passed the trailhead on the way to Mount Si. Hot day in the low 80s. Headed up the trail about 11:00 am. Given how many cars were down below, I expected more people up on the summit, but when I arrived there were only eight. I found a side rock outcrop where I could be all by myself. The top and the view were similar to Rattlesnake Ledge, but with more room to spread out. As I headed back down the well-worn trail, I was excited to see an alligator lizard in the middle of the trail eating an insect of some kind. Good photo!
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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A late start for me and the Hike-A-Thon, but better late than never (as is the case with this TR...
A late start for me and the Hike-A-Thon, but better late than never (as is the case with this TR as well)! Hit the trail just after 5:00 p.m. Wednesday after work. Outside temp was 80° and humidity was HIGH. It got worse up in the boulder garden and while traveling along the east side of Little Si, but the climb up the spine was cooler and the summit had a nice breeze. I’d been out here just a couple months ago and there’s been a bit of work on the trail since then creating some drainage for problem areas and building new rock trail over a previous mud bath. There’s also a few more blowdowns than I’d seen two months ago and I was trying to think about what weather had transpired to bring them down but couldn’t recall. I made a split second decision at the second junction with the Boulder Garden Loop to take it, effectively adding 2 miles (the signage says 1.5, the map says 2.0) and 600′ to my trip. Hey, it’s all for a good cause, right? Near the top (of Little Si), there are a couple of places where the switchbacks have been cut repeatedly and this is causing serious erosion problems. In fact, I stood and watched as four college-aged kids jumped off the trail and ran down one of the cuts, blindly adding to the damage. I really wanted to say something but had a feeling it would fall on deaf ears, so I just plodded on my merry way up the mountain (okay, hill). I promised I would take pics of the erosion on the way back and post it here where maybe it might be of some use. Bottom line is, DON’T CUT THE SWITCHBACKS! They are there for a reason folks. Okay, rant over. Surprise of all surprises, I had the summit all to myself (whoda thunk?) as the evening light began to wane. A quick snack and a couple of pics and I was back on my merry way to reach the car (well) before dark.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
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When we left Bellevue above Lake Sammamish around 10:45 a.m., it was pretty foggy and we couldn't see Mt. Si...
When we left Bellevue above Lake Sammamish around 10:45 a.m., it was pretty foggy and we couldn't see Mt. Si or the nearby peaks at all. We trusted it would be clearer once we got there, and that proved to be true. There was a little white cloud about halfway up one side of Mt. Si, but Little Si was completely in the clear.
We got a parking space in the little annex parking area (the first one you come to after the red bridge) and walked the .1 mile or so to the main parking lot, which turned out to be full. The hike itself was pleasant; at about the place where we were starting to get tired of the rocks and roots, we got the views at the top. We met a number of dogs, especially small ones, which seemed to be doing reasonably well on the hike (according to their owners' reports), although one was definitely looking for shade at the top and not finding it. We probably met several dozen people of all ages on this Friday hike with temperatures in the 70's. There was also a Mountains to Sound Greenway work party doing some restoration work about halfway up the trail. I've checked the box that says wildflowers are blooming; these are mostly near the bottom, and may be escaped garden plants like sweet peas and buddleias, but attractive nonetheless.
Little Si
— Jun 30, 2010
— GinaBling
Day hike
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The trail is groomed nicely and very few spots of mud. Because its so accessible, its a busy trail. Lots...
The trail is groomed nicely and very few spots of mud. Because its so accessible, its a busy trail. Lots of families were hiking in the middle of the day on a Wednesday. This was a good hike to break in new hiking boots.
Little Si
— May 19, 2010
— Scotty22
Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes
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Make sure you get to the trailhead early to find a parking spot. Even on a Wednesday morning this nice...
Make sure you get to the trailhead early to find a parking spot. Even on a Wednesday morning this nice 4.2 mile hike packs the parking lot. I got to the trailhead at 9am with only a few cars.
The first 0.5 of the hike is uphill. After that the next l.0 miles or so is flat or a little elevation gain. Once you past the "rock climbing" walls you get to the backside of Little Si. From this point the elevation increases as you step up many rocks and roots. There are a few switchback, but mostly just hiking up 'makeshift" steps. Only one person on the top today at 10am. The wind was blowing but the sun was out. On my way back down I must have pasted 15 people. By the time I got back to the parking lot, the main lot was full. This is a nice warm up hike if you are looking for a short two hour hike waiting on the snow to melt in the mountains. -4.2 Miles -1,250 Elevation gain -Bring Water -Look outs on top -Dog friendly |
Driving Directions
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 32 (436th Avenue SE). Turn left (north) over the freeway and drive 0.5 mile to North Bend Way. Turn left (west), and in 0.25 mile turn right (north) on Mount Si Road. Shortly after crossing the bridge, the road banks right. Just after this curve, look for a paved parking area on the left side of the road (if you get to the intersection with 444th Avenue SE, you've gone too far).
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