Mt Teneriffe is one of my regular summer hikes, so I was well familiar with it before I started. In the winter it really helps to know the route as the less used trails are often well covered with fresh snow. So there is the falls route with the "old Mailbox" like fun at the very end, and the 14 mile long winded route - not as steep, just so long. I decided against the falls route as it is very steep (avalanche steep) and at times tricky and narrow, so I decided to follow the regular route which was also easier for me as I didn't have to backtrack so much.
Parking at the "official" Mt Teneriffe parking spot is very tricky on weekdays due to very limited space to at most 3 cars, and it is just not too safe as the only time I was there there was visibly broken glass on the ground. So my current regular route is to start at the Mt Si parking lot that has plenty of space, and follow the regular Si trail for 0.7 miles. Then I take the Talus Loop half way to the sign where I take the connector to the main Teneriffe trail. That connector used to be somewhat "secretive" and unmarked on both ends, but now there are very visible signs pointing to it - so it is no more the guessing game it used to be for people who are new to that route. From that on it is the regular Mt Teneriffe route.
Today was particularly cold, with near freezing temperatures at the parking lot and the signs of snow were obvious right away, although the trail was snow free - just either wet or frozen. At the loop level it became bit more noticeable but nothing to worry. The same at the beginning of the main Teneriffe trail. Then around the 2000 ft the snow becomes more permanent, and at 3000 ft it was deep enough to put the snowshoes with about 2 feet of snow, and without the snowshoes would be really difficult to continue. At 4000 ft it was more than 3 feet. Overall, the trail started with quite many boot marks but their density quickly reduced as the trail progressed and the snow got deeper. The last set of boot tracks turned off to the top Mt Si connector, so the trail was all fresh beyond that point. And it is a workout, as with temperatures so low at that elevation the snow was very powdery and my snowshoes were just not large enough - they would still sink more than a foot or more at times. Also the trail is just so long and the day so short, so unfortunately at the 6 mile mark and at elevation of a bit more than 4000 ft I had to turn around. So close, yet so far...
Since the trail was fresh it was fun to see all the animal tracks on the snow. Mostly rabbits, but also one pretty large wildcat that I guess eats them. Overall, a great snowshoe hike. Plan to start as early as possible, as it is very long and the snow slows it down considerably.
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