Talus Loop

Get a different view of the perennially-popular Mount Si on the Talus Loop Trail. A little over 4 miles long, the Talus Trail explores the eastern slopes of the mountain. You'll hike briefly with the crowds headed to the haystack, then peel off and enjoy a much quieter forest walk, along with a good workout.

Start from the Mount Si trailhead and follow the wide, sculpted trail into second growth bigleaf maples, hemlock and ferns. A small trail peels off to the left -- ignore this and stay right. Cross a small creek, then begin climbing on rocky trail. Along the way, signs indicate you are on the Mount Si trail.

After 0.7 miles, arrive at another sign. The Mount Si trail heads left, while the Talus Loop ducks off to the right. Since it's a loop hike, you can go either way (and you'll have plenty of elevation gain on both trails) but to escape the madding crowd, turn right and begin hiking on the more rugged, narrower Talus Loop Trail.

The trail traverses gradually northeast, climbing through second growth forest. Listen for birds rustling in the trees or little critters darting underfoot. After a long traverse, come to a switchback, climbing and bringing you back the way you came.

Soon you'll arrive at a large talus slope. Here you can see out into the Lower Snoqualmie Valley, including a set of buildings known locally as 'Truck Town', the truck stop where many adventurers returning from a weekend refuel on gas and snacks before heading back into the Puget Sound area.

Continue for just a few hundred more feet, where you will reconnect to the main Mount Si Trail. This area is known as Snag Flats, an Interpretive Area sans interpretive signs! Enjoy the area anyway before heading downhill. A bench awaits you 0.4 miles from the upper loop junction where you can rest for a spell before continuing to the lower junction, one mile from the upper junction.