Mount Si, Mount Si - Talus Loop

Brooklake Hikers (10 people & 2 dogs) set out on Mt Si main trail at about 8:45 AM. Parking lot already filling up (3rd section already just about full). 3 of us decided to do Talus Loop which is off of the main trail about 0.7 mile up. It includes a viewpoint near the end of the loop on a talus rock slope. This gave us a short respite & some solitude from the crowds as we only saw about 3 other people on this loop trail. We reunited w/ the main trail right as 3 of our group were arriving there. Trail in good shape & snow free to the top. 8 of us found a nice spot for lunch out of the wind right up against the base of the haystack. The last 2 members of our group arrived shortly after. Nice view of Mt Rainier from that point. All the usual views except the Olympics which were too hazy/cloudy. After a while, 7 of us decided to scramble up to the top of the haystack. As group leader I was trying to remember if I had everybody sign their waivers beforehand! Anyway, we were careful to keep 3 points of contact at all times & before long 6 of us (one turned back) were standing on the top. Only 2 of us had done this before so it was quite a first for the others. There was one other large group on top + one other guy. We all took turns taking group pix for each other. When we left the solo hiker had the summit all to himself. All the usual views from the top minus Mt Baker - too hazy. Before we headed back down I checked out the trail heading east from the haystack. I had always assumed this was the trail to Mt Teneriffe. It was well marked w/ ribbons and even, in places, small logs marking the trail. I went as far as the crest in the woods, where I could see the Mt Teneriffe summit in the distance, before turning around. I could see a bit of snow beyond still. Probably another few weeks before it fully melts out. The weather turned out to be great, however, by the end of our hike you could see clouds, from the next forecasted system, moving in. A stop at our usual favorite in North Bend - Scott's Dairy Freeze - topped the day.