It was an almost perfectly clear day; the main Mount Si parking lot was full, and cars were lined up and down the road, so we were relieved that we had chosen this alternate route to Si. We found parking in the school bus turnaround, which is not marked well, but the major feature is a large blue gate with DNR signage. The Mount Teneriffe Road Trail is easy to follow. The initial grade for the first 1-1.5 miles is relatively flat, but then it assumes a steeper grade, but the road is in good condition, which compensates. This hike could be done without poles, though boots are probably needed for the ankles, especially on the way down. There are a couple other access/logging road branchoffs--just keep going straight. There were a few openings to incredible views of Rattlesnake Mountain and Rattlesnake Lake, as well as Mount Rainier, along the way. We took the spur trail to Mount Si (marked with a ribbon) and had marvelous views of the haystack on the way over. There were a lot of scramblers on the haystack that day, but we were too chicken to attempt it. We even saw an artist painting while we were there. The trip down was no problem at all. Furthermore, there were only a few hints of snow left, seen on the spur trail to Si.

This day hike was a loop trail up to Teneriffe via the new trail, across the ridge line to Mt Si and down the Mt. Si trail to the cars. We took snowshoes in case the snow on Teneriffe was loose and deep. We started from the Mt. Si parking lot and accessed the Mount Teneriffe Road via the Lower Mount Si Connector trail. Trail conditions were great all the way up to Kamikaze Falls, which was in full flow. Encountered snow at approximately the 4000 foot level up to the summit of Teneriffe. The snow was well consolidated until just below the summit, but became softer near the summit. Low clouds obscured any view.

From the summit, we followed a well-define boot path along the northwest ridge line toward the Mount Teneriffe Road. The snow was deep, but still pretty consolidated. We did not need to use the snowshoes as long as we stayed in the boot path. Once on the road, we stayed in the boot path until we hit the Upper Mount Si Connector trail. There was still a lot of snow along this trail, but a well-consolidated boot path allowed for easy travel.

Once at Si, the snow disappeared and we were back on trail all the way down to the parking lot. Total trip time was 6 hours. This was definitely a holiday weekend because there must have been 1000 people on the trail. The parking lot was completely full when we got back down at 2:00pm. As we passed Little Si parking lot, it was completely full and people were forced to park along SE North Bend Way, more than half a mile from the parking lots.

Hiked up to Si the 'normal way' starting from the Si trail head. The hike up to Si was great, with a bit of packed snow the last half mile. Spikes were useful here.

Headed off to the right by the haystack scramble and found a trail through knee-thigh deep snow that lead to Mount Teneriffe Road. The section is still do able without snow shoes as there is a decent path through the snow (expect cold wet feet, then toughen up!)

Headed left on Mount Teneriffe Road and made it for awhile walking in other people's tracks, but still post holing every now and then. Hiked along the ridge with awesome views of the valley and Mt Rainier. Couldn't make it all the way up Teneriffe because the trail ended and i didn't have snowshoes.

If you do this hike anytime soon snowshoes will help a lot. But i made it pretty far with my spikes and my dog chief did the whole thing bear-pawed so maybe u can too. Headed down Mount Teneriffe Road for a little under 2 miles and off roaded near Roaring Creek to hop back on the Si Talus loop trail. This was a short but slightly challenging bushwack.

Pretty sweet variation on Si that gets u two peeks and its a loop for the most part.

It was time to try out my new snowshoes. With a lot of unconsolidated snow in the mountains I chose a very low starting elevation to get in some mileage and elevation gain without hours of wallowing in deep snow. The Mt. Teneriffe Road fit the bill with Mt. Si being the goal. As I passed the Mt. Si trailhead there was a few inches of fresh snow on the road. That I was not expecting. There were three cars at the Teneriffe parking lot. I pulled off into the snow and by 9:35 am I was on my way. Light snow was falling as I set out.

I saw one set of fresh footprints heading up and one set coming back. With snow starting at the car I was not sure I would have time for the 10 mile round trip. Without footprints to use I would be traveling even slower. In less than a mile the early hiker turned around. Now there were no prints in the fresh snow. At the turnoff for the new Kamikaze Falls trail I found footprints heading down and onto my route. Where did they start from? Those prints turned around shortly.

I had my GPS along as I wanted to check mileage. It was 1.75 miles to where the road finally begins to gain elevation. The snow was still only a few inches deep. A few switchbacks brought me to one at 2.5 miles with bootprints coming out of the forest. So this is where the Mt. Si Talus Loop connector trail comes in. The snow began to deepen and the new footprints helped my speed. The snow stopped and I took off my jacket. I was plenty damp with sweat after climbing while wearing a jacket.

At about 3 miles the bootprints became snowshoe prints. I was still fine booting it. At a leftward switchback at 3.5 miles I met the folks who had been making the tracks. I stopped to put on my new Atlas snowshoes while we talked. I headed out first setting a track in the now deeper snow. The snow was almost powder. It was very dry. Very unusual for the west side of the mountains let alone for near North Bend. I was already sinking in 6", almost down to the road bed. After two more switchbacks there is a small open view out. Nothing to be seen now but clouds.

One of other snowshoers caught he here. He took the lead for the steeper grade up to where the road flattens. Once there he stopped to wait for his group and I took the lead once again. The Teneriffe Road is not very scenic but after a heavy snow dump it really does look good. The trees were heavily flocked. Numerous small leafless trees hung low over the road weighted down with snow. Several chose to dump their load as I bent down to go underneath.

The road soon began to climb once again. My pace was slowing down even more. My last winter trip here did not hit snow until half way up and even snowshoeing the rest I reached Mt. Si in 2:40. At the 2:40 mark this day I was still short of the turnoff. I stopped when I did reach the turnoff for food and water. It was already about 12:30. The other three snowshoers soon caught up again. Two of us headed on towards Mt. Si. There were no signs of buried tracks. Completely untouched deep new snow. When the route turned to the right the other guy stopped to wait for his group. I continued on.

The snow was really nasty now. Completely unconsolidated and very deep. A few times I fell through to my waist. I knew I was close to Si and struggled ahead. Just one or two more people to trade the lead would have made a huge difference. I almost missed the last turn to the left. A big deciduous tree bent over with snow nearly blocked the route. The route straight ahead was obvious. I worked my way around the tree and kept going. Soon I came to a mess. No obvious route and a jungle of thin 12' tall alder trees forming a wall. I consulted the GPS and it suggested I bear left. All I saw was downhill through the thin trees.

I tried heading that way but I sank waist deep numerous times. More like swimming than snowshoeing as I clawed my way forward in the soft powder. I was only 1/4 mile and 100' vertical feet from the highpoint above Haystack Basin. Maybe 5 minutes without snow. Maybe an hour with this snow. I reluctantly decided to turn around. It was 1:15 pm. I've been to the top of Mt. Si in snow many times. There was no view to be had either. This day was more about the trip than the destination. Once I cleared the alder traps the way down was easy. Well, at least a lot easier.

When I reached the spot where I left the one snowshoer I found a flattened out spot where it looked like they had lunch. I never did catch up with them. Back at the Teneriffe Road there were no fresh tracks. No tracks heading up that road. The three of them had created a very nice trench. It was smooth sailing now. The sky even lightened up a bit. It was a straight shot back with just photo stops and snowshoe removal at the spot where I put them on.

Farther down I passed one person taking skis off his pack. He did not catch up with me coming down. There were a few more tracks lower down. I guess a few folks went for an easy walk in the snow. I reached my car at 3:20. It took only 2 hours to come down 5 miles. There were half a dozen cars in the lot.

The day was a success even without reaching the summit of Si. I had a lot of solitude and a little help with the trail breaking. I sure had a heck of a workout, even more than 10 miles with 3000' of gain would suggest. The snowshoes worked well though they were not designed to battle that much unconsolidated snow. Shorter is usually better with Cascade Concrete but the conditions were anything but that. All in all a very nice first snowshoe trip of the season.

30 photos have been posted at: http://www.hikingnorthwest.com. Go to "Trips-2010" on the left margin.