Trip Reports

What a difference a week makes especially when that week sports 80F degree days. Last Thurs, the last mile or so was snowy and slippery. Today there was barely any snow with a few patches about 15-20 feet long at their longest. None of those patches were on sloping trail but in the flat areas just by the Snoqualmie Valley View and beyond.

Played leapfrog with a couple I later discovered were from Eastern Canada. They flew in yesterday and sought out a hike and found Mt Si. They particularly enjoyed the view of that big white mountain off to the South - later identified as Mt Rainier.

A pretty good number of hikers were out, again, midweek and fully enjoying the dry trail and pleasant temperatures.

It was a good day to hike Mt Si and I think my time up is improving SLOWLY.

Have fun before the rains return this Sunday.

Today was the first joint hike between the ECOGers and the PLCC hikers, and it was an auspicious start. We chose Mount Si, and our plan was to hike through the Boulder Garden near Little Si and pick up the old Mount Si trail. That part was not to be. We were frustrated in our quest for parking (about 9:40 am) near Little Si. The Mount Teneriffe Road parking area was also full. Somehow, we found a space on the road just outside the Mount Si new trail parking area, without having to park in a "No Parking" zone.

I had previously hiked up to Si several times without using the standard trail--because of the high traffic and the trail's reputation for being a hiking superhighway. Because of the parking situation, I decided to bite the bullet, but I was pleasantly surprised. The trail is relatively busy, but I did not find it overly crowded.

The trail is well-maintained, with almost no water or mudholes until the last half-mile--primarily the result of recent snow-melt. There is snow at the very top, near the haystack. Salmonberry is blooming. There are no berries to speak of yet. At the top, the sky was nearly cloudless, and there was only a slight amount of haze. Gray jays and Steller's Jays played in the trees. Mount Rainier was unobscured, and downtown Seattle was only slightly hazy.

My time to ascend was 3 hours, with 1 hour at the top, and 1.5 hours needed to descend. One of our group members made it up in 2 hours. Boots and poles are nice to cushion the feet, but many hikers wore just sneakers.

Parking lot was overflowing by 10am. The trail was in great condition and snow-free except for the short trail to haystack. Decided to go for the scramble up haystack and was rewarded with 360 degree views and a sense of accomplishment having finally bagged the true summit. ;) Probably won't be back to Mount Si until the fall when there will hopefully be fewer people.

It was our first serious hike of the season. The parking aisle closest to the trail was already full when we arrived at 7:30 AM and the second one was filled out while we were changing into hiking boots. It took us 2 hours up and 1 hour and 45 minutes down. By that time the parking lot was packed to the extent that it was difficult to squeeze between parked cars on the way out. Cars also were parked on the shoulder for half a mile down the road.
The hike is quite tedious and boring, with the views hidden by trees until the last quarter of mile, but all our favorite hikes will be under snow until July at the earliest, so Mount Si fits the bill. It is close, it is a good workout - 4 miles up with 3700 feet elevation gain, and the weather was gorgeous.
The views over Snoqualmie valley were magnificent. You could see downtown Bellevue, Lake Washington, downtown Seattle and snowcapped Olympic mountains. Mount Rainier was in its full glory.
The trail is in good condition until the last half a mile where we encountered some muddy spots. There was packed snow the last few hundred feet on the way to Snoqualmie Valley view point. We saw a couple of hikers in gaiters, but you don't really need them. Quite a few people made the track in sneakers.
It was hot when we returned to our car, so we were happy we had an early start.

The Si trail is finally free of snow! There are occasional patches in the last half-mile, but you can walk around them. No traction device or gaiters needed. Even those should be gone by the weekend, with the sun & boot traffic. The last mile or so is somewhat muddy.

Only a little bit of patchy snow the last 1.5 miles or so. Muddy and wet in places but not bad. Unobstructed views of mount ranier, olympic mountains, seattle, and bellevue. I have boycotted Mount Si for a few years but...go early you do not get the crowds and the views are nice, close to home, and a nice training hike.

Our group did this evening hike as part of our conditioning series. There was slush on the trail shortly after the first mile until the third. The last mile saw firm snow. There was a lot of snow off trail. On the way back, we had to use more caution because it was dark. The poles were quite helpful and good boots were a must. None of us had gaiters or any other traction devices. With the current warm weather, the trail should be mostly snow free by the weekend. I'd imagine there would still be snow off trail for a few more days. Use caution if you're planning a trip in the next day or two.

There was about a foot of snow on top of Mt. Si on Tuesday, it was actively snowing on and off as well. Slush on the trail and falling from the trees started about half-way up. Not sure how long it will stay. Come prepared.

First hike of the year for me and without any issues less being in a bit (ok...lots) of pain for the 2 days afterwards. Weather was wet, cold, snowy and just down right icky.

Trail is in fantasic shape considering the recent weather. Little snow at the top.

We started hiking at noon. At a moderate pace it took us 2.5 hrs to get to summit. No issues with the trail at all. Bring plenty of water and some food. You will require them. Today was one of those 10-30% chance rain day at mount Si with cloud cover. So there were no breathtaking views. And, at the summit it got cold real fast. So we had to quickly eat our food and leave. Bring hand gloves and warm clothing if its not a sunny day. You can probably spend some time at the summit. Decent was not difficult.

This of-course is a great workout.

The trail is in good condition. There was running water at just a few spots. No snow on the trail - just some slush near the top but nothing bothersome. No traction devices or gaiters were required. If you are doing this as an evening hike, please make sure you are carrying a headlamp.

I think the last time I hiked Mt Si was late Fall or early Winter. That made this trip a real slow workout.

But I planned it as soon as I heard the weather report over last weekend.

The first tier of the parking area seemed pretty full. The number of people hiking it on a Wednesday shows that the employment situation in the Seattle area still needs improvement or lots of folks were playing hooky.

The trail was in good shape. A bit of snow just before you emerge into the open. More snow beyond the second stone staircase but with care I did not need the yaktraks I schlepped up there for either the up or down.

It was Spring where I sat, the upper bench looking at the snow in the upper basin and just the very top of Mt Rainier showing through the trees.

Stopped for some pictures on the way down, giving the thighs and knees a bit of relief.

Nice day and we need more of them.

Great spring hike. Steep at times. Last 1/8th mile is slushy snow, trekking poles helped keep balance. View was gorgeous. Lots of people on the trail.

Sunny hike, started mid morning. The trail was mostly in good condition, some mud patches here and there. Damp in general due to snow melting.
Upon reaching mile 3 there's snow off the trail but then within a 1/4 mile of that there's slushy snow on the trail the rest of the way up. HOWEVER, at the top when you come out into the open at the rocks (haystack?) It's pretty much snow free.
I only had running shows being that I'm a novice (but enthusiastic) hiker. Deffinately some slipping and sliding but made it. Got worried about the return downhill but it was ok, maybe better shoes next time. From the base the top is deceiving, you can't tell how much snow is really up there still on the ground.
All in all totally worth it, the view at the top was spectacular on such a clear day. Rainer was out for all to enjoy and I could see as far as Puget Sound, wonderful!

Trail was clear for about a 3rd, slush for about another 3rd, and then packed snow for the top snow. Plenty of people on the trail for a weekday though then again it was spring break for some schools.

I found a receiver for a portable radio system. Message me if you've lost one.

First 1/3 of the trail was fairly dry, second 1/3 was slush and mud, the final 1/3 was snow all the way up. Micro spikes are awesome if you've got 'em. Otherwise the trail is in good condition.

Unfortunately, the top was swathed in clouds so there were no views to be had.

Beautiful but tough day for a hike up Mt. Si. There was snow coming down - some fresh snow, some blowing down from trees, some falling from trees as it melted. At the bottom, it was just wet. Around mile 1, there was horrible slush that managed to get through my waterproof boots. Then around mile 2, it turned to slippery snow. Then it became nice, reasonably packed snow. At the summit, there was maybe 8 inches of fresh snow. The trail was crowded, so snow on the trail itself was packed. Definitely a good day for poles, spikes and gaiters. (I didn't bother to put my gaiters on, probably a bad move.)

There will probably be snow or ice on the trail, near the top, for a while, given the quantity that fell.

I left the trailhead around 6:45AM Saturday morning and there were only about 6 other cars. Most folks heading up ahead of me were in gaiters and mountain boots with full packs, so training for Rainier or similar. I was doing the same.

Given the amount of rain we've had, the trail has almost no mud. At around the 2 mile mark snow was starting to lay on the leaves, and it started to snow.

From that point on the trail was more and more snow covered. At the top it was around 12" in places. Enough snow had fallen while I'd been climbing (and I'd sweated enough) that the peak on my hat was rimmed with ice and had frozen solid. No visibility at the top at all today due to the snowy weather and the weekend forecast by NOAA for thunderstorms all weekend in this area. Haystack was pretty icy, so I just left it alone today, but others were going up.

The top 1 mile of the trail isn't easy to come down without poles because it was turning to ice after being crushed underfoot by hikers.

I wasn't hiking fast, and there weren't that many people on the trail on the way up. I expect I ran into 40-50 people on the hike back down. I made it up in 2:35 without stopping (and I'm slow - I let a few folks go past me), and down in 1:30. There was an ultra-runner who lapped me twice, so good on him for doing Mount Si twice in one go!

By the time I was all packed up and ready to go, around 11:30, there were many more people pulling in and starting the hike. I hiked in a soft shell, fleece, and microweight shirt and it was fine. One group of girls was just hiking in t-shirt, fleece, and yoga pants - good luck to them - that would have been cold at the top.

Where to go when the forecast calls for 100% chance of rain? I had not hiked Mt. Si for a few years so that was an ideal destination. I agree that everyone should do this hike occasionally - it is a terrific work out and you get to see so many young people out hiking - plus it is close to home!

I left the trail head at 8 and arrived at the bench just below the summit at 9:45. I did not stop for a break thanks to the non-stop downpour which changed to slush and then to beautiful snow around 500' from the top - at which point I measured six inches of lovely white snow. Following a little break, I headed back down and thoroughly enjoyed saying hi to a couple dozen groups as they headed up. I got back to the car damp but happy before noon and I counted 41 cars in the lot as I drove out - amazing considering the weather!

On the way home, I treated myself to a stop at George's Bakery and Cafe in North Bend. The bakery is a local favorite with walls full of photos and bakery gadgets and the menu full of quiche, sandwiches, and pastries. I treasured my cup of coffee and cherry pie (especially so when Jordon told me that she has spent three days last summer pitting the cherries for a year's supply of pies!). A memorable end to a wonderful hike!

PS: the next day I found out that it rained more on this day than the entire month of April last year - now that is wet!

We hiked up in the dark looking for the sunrise. Beautiful morning. There was a little section of snow in the trees before you reach the top. The top was snow free and we made coffee while we took in the morning views. Trails in great shape as always.

For more pictures check our blog at
http://survivingurban.com/mount-si/

It was such a beautiful clear day we abandonded our plans for a more lowalnd hike and headed to Mt Si to take advantage of the views. We weren't dissappointed! Snow has mostly melted away but from about mile 3.25 on the trail was covered in muddy, compacted slush. Microspikes stayed in the pack but poles were quite helpful!

Beautiful day for a hike. Got to the main parking lot around 9 AM, was already 80% full but I found a spot pretty easily. The hike up wasn't very crowded, I passed some slower groups but for the most part my dog and I were alone. Coming down was a different story, I probably spent 20 minutes alone just standing by the side waiting to let people pass. The trail itself was in fantastic condition - a bit of mud near the streams at the bottom, but the middle portions were dry and firm. 3/4 of a mile from the top the snow started up, but it wasn't a problem until the very end, when you basically have to kick footholds into the snow. I saw a half dozen people sporting crampons or spikes, but they're pretty much overkill. I wore my Timberlands, but you probably could have gotten away with sneakers. Only really need boots for the last push, but you might end up with wet feet for the trek back down. Got back to the parking lot at 12:15 and it was overflowing. Definitely worth getting up early and getting a head start on the crowds. Today was epic, not a cloud in the sky and perfect views of Raineer.

Most previous entries still hold true. Compact snow and ice start about three quarters of a mile from the top, still pretty nasty.

Noteworthy item, however, was spotting a mountain goat nanny and kid sunning themselves on a ridge about a half mile northwest of the Haystack. I surely hope the photos come out!

Group Hike with a bunch of hiking enthusiasts. We started the hike @9 AM and were back by 2:30. The sun was initially hidden behind clouds but threatening to break and the hike was pleasant overall.At about halfway, there was snow on the trail. The snow wasn't very deep but and with the passage of hikers, some sections became a bit tricky to negotiate without proper traction.

the sun came out and it was absolutely gorgeous at the top. The camera got some exercise at the top, and after some snacks we headed back. The return was trickier in terms of traction, and made you watch your steps closely. If you can carry micro spikes (crampon would be an overkill)that can come handy.

This was my first hike of the year and it was fun. There was a nice amount of snow as we worked our way up, with maybe just over a foot of fresh powder at the top. I took my black lab and ran into 2 more huskies with their owners. GREAT hike.

A lot of changes over the past few weeks on the trail. PLEASE BRING TRACTION if you are going to hike to the top, there is Ice/Snow beginning about the 3.3 mile mark all the way to the top. Trail was in excellent condition, but if you don't have traction you are asking to slip and fall. At the top, the rocks are snow free. Fun day to be on the trail, started walking below the clouds, walked up into the clouds and then above the coulds...no rain! Arrived at trailhead at 9am, 4 other cars...back to car by 1pm...10 cars total in the lot.

Weather: 40degF & Sunny

2700'elev: Sleet first seen on trail
2900'elev: Packed snow on trail. Microspikes/Crampons should be used to finish ascent safely.

Ascent from Parking lot trailhead: 2:00hrs
Descent from summit: 1:30hrs

Parking pass: Discovery Pass required.

Beautiful March morning,7:00AM, 32 degrees F. Sunny with no wind. The parking lot was not to full but had a couple larger groups gearing up.I walked about .3 miles from a fabulous B&B "The Roaring River" to the trail head so no need for the Discover pass. I chose to wear a wicking style T-shirt,fleece vest and a shell jacket, trail style gloves and hat.I wore a day pack with a camelpak bladder and most important packed along a pair of micro spikes. After about 20 minutes on the trail I removed the shell and hiked the remaining day with only the fleece vest. The last 1/4 of the hike was covered in snow packed ice and the micro spikes where a must( safe and effective). This was an amazing hike and highly recommend to start this seasons trail adventures.

Snow on trail ~2k with packed snow starting at 3k until finish at false summit (no haystack). The group decided to put on traction devices @ ~2.7k. ~1:45-2:10 for group up and ~45-1:35 down. We all descended by ~1:00. There were no issues and the weather was great (sunny with clouds, little to no wind).

It's official. Having conquered Mount Si I'm now officially a Seattle hiker. Yeah!!! Sunny skies leaving Seattle this morning but cloudy east of the trailhead. Cool morning but you warm up quickly. Pretty soon the trail turned into a rain forest as the melting snow from the top of the trees came raining down, along with some snow. It was like my big sister was up above shaking the tree limbs and throwing snowballs! At around the 3 mile mark the shower stops and the snow on the trail starts. I put on the microspikes for the last 3/4 mile or so but I saw many without any traction device. And of course some people in tennis shoes. Views at the top were OK as the clouds were coming in. Views toward to Seattle were pretty good but views across the valley to Rattlesnake Mountain and to the east at Snoqualmie Pass were pretty socked in by clouds. I passed on the Haystack scramble as I wasn't too keen on scrambling over boulders covered in snow, especially since I had never done it before. Will be back in the spring to conquer the last piece!

Beautifully snowy hike on Mt Si today! Snow started around the snag flats. Microspikes were essential especially on the way down. Some hikers chose snowshoes but they seemed more cumbersome. Also saw some folks in shorts and tennis shoes that did not look too happy. :) Limited view at the top due to the low-hanging clouds.

Weather: A little cold; some wind close to summit; low clouds.

Snow Conditions: Gaiters or snowshoes not required. Trekking poles and traction devices (we used Micro Spikes) desirable from about 1500 ft to 1000 ft below summit. There was about 12 inches of new snow at the top.

Time: Summit (i.e., viewpoint with benches) to car - 1 hr 50 min; car to car - 4 hr 25 min.

Companion: Amy.

Leading an "unofficial" conditioning hike up Mt si with the Mountaineers. Snow over trail begins at ~2k, by 2.5k packed snow on trail (party put on micro-spikes). Packed snow over trail increases to pre-haystack summit. Maybe a 1ft of snow. I dumped water put on trail running shoes with micro-spikes and ran down.

Had a great trip to Mount Si. The clouds were sitting high enough that we had a great view at the top, and the friendly birds topped off the hike. I would suggest ice trekkers or micro spikes of some sort. Everyone that we saw without them has a real tough time on the way back down.

What a beautiful hike!! This is a very popular hike in Washington State and is heavily traveled in the summer from what I hear and I can see why now. Once you get to the top you have beautiful views of the lush valley below and with the snow up on the top of the mountain is just icing on the cake. I always think the snow here with the ever greens and the rocks poking through makes everything look so beautiful so I’m glad I went why there was still snow on the top of Mount Si. Also just to prove how many people like Mount Si despite being over cast and February there were a good 40 cars or so in the parking lot.

 Since it is still early in the year, being only February, there was snow about three quarters of so be warned. When you’re about half a mile or so from the top there is a good amount of snow on the trail and I would highly suggest you have trekking poles and micro spikes with you for traction. Also bring layers, gloves and a warm hat. While you may not need them on the hike up, since you will probably be sweating bullets and huffing and puffing from the 3,000 feet of elevation gain, you will definitely want them once you get to the top and stop. The chill air will quickly cool you off and you will be very cold. I saw to many young adults today who hiked up with jeans and tennis shoes. They were struggling to get up the slippery snow and I heard many say they wish they had gloves or more layers and that they did not know there was going to be snow at the top. Well now you know so pack accordingly. Once you’re up in the snow fear not the path is easy to find and is well traveled and is easy to follow. Other hiker’s paths so you shouldn't have to worry about not being able to find your way.

The last thing I will say was the trail was a tad bit muddy. Not like deep mud but it was muddy from melting snow and the recent rains so wear boots. Other than that I highly recommend this hike and I will have to do it again this year so I can scramble and explore more of the summit when the snow has melted and it’s safer to walk around on the rocks.

Got an early start on Mount Si; I was the first person in the parking lot around 8:15 am. Started the long climb up to the top. The trail is in great shape. The snow started a little ways after the 3 mile sign (I would guess maybe a quarter mile past?). I was thankful for my poles and my cleats. At the very top right before coming to the summit, there was a particularly slick part which I slipped and slid down a ways, so if you're going up, I highly recommend caution during the last part of the hike. The views were nonexistent; too much snow! It was lightly snowing, so I chatted with the birds for a bit and ate a snack. The trek down was slick in places, but nothing that hikers can't handle.

All in all, I'm not sure the views on the trail are worth the climb (maybe on a clear day when the views from the top are out), but it was a great training hike, and so easy to access in the winter... I'll probably be back.

Beautiful day on Si, the first time I've hiked it. The trail is in great condition, a bit of mud in the beginning but it dries out pretty quickly. A good amount of snow pack starting at around 3100', so bring your micro-spikes. Perfect day of hiking.

Incredible hike! It was pretty tough but loved it!
Snow about 3100ft.

Amazing weather. Sunny, but crisp and cold. Quite a few people on the trail, but not overwhelming. Pretty difficult the whole way, especially for a beginner, but very rewarding if you can complete the entire trek. The last mile was VERY slippery and you should definitely be wearing boots or cramp-ons. Do not wear running shoes or you will slide the entire way up and down. The view is breathtaking, but eat lunch fast.. the birds will attack.

Bits of snow and ice on trail from about 3500 ft. About 1ft deep when you leave the treeline at the boulders and go around to haystack. Very easily accessible but recommend traction aids.

Hiked up with Steffy for her first time. We started early so we could be off the mountain before the rain that was forecast after 11 am. Clear views from the summit to Kaleetan Peak, Mount Lindsay, and to Seattle, but Tahoma and the Olympics were obscured by clouds. I chose not to make the final scramble as we could see rain clouds fast approaching from the west.

Snow began to fall as we left the top, rain was off and on under 3500 feet. Snow on the trail after 3 miles, steady after 3.5.

Me and a buddy started hiking around 12:30 or so. We took our time and didn't rush to the top, I'd say we reached the summit around 3:30 or 3:45. Perfect view of Rainier and the Seattle skyline popping out of the fog in the distance. The trail was totally walkable and uncovered with snow until around the mile #3 marker. We had Yak Trax on after the snow and ice began, and they came in very handy! On the way back down it began to get dark quickly, so we needed headlamps/flashlights for the remaining mile or so down the hill. The temperature was suberb the whole hike, the temperature inversion made miles 2-3 really warm. The wind on the summit required a jacket, but it wasn't freezing. A great day on Mt. Si!

An amazing day on Si. Left Seattle at 10am under a cold fog and arrived to a warm and sunny parking lot about 2/3 full. Hit the trail at approximately 11am and made the top in just slightly under two hours about 12:55 or so. Not too speedy but not half bad for the first real hike of the year.

Snow started slightly after the 3 mile marker and as always Yak Trax or equivalent are a big help at the end.

Was rewarded at the top by what I can simply say were stunning views and temps. We decided to come out partly on the advice of Cliff Mass (Inversion!) and we were not disappointing.

The temps were (to my best guess) hovering in the low 60's with no wind and bright winter sunshine. Our group of 4 explored, had lunc and sunbathed for 2 or so hours before heading down.

Never been up on Si when it was that warm in the winter, just amazing.

Big ups to Cliff Mass for spreading the word about the Inversion and the great hiking weather!

We arrived at the new Mount Si trailhead at 6:30 as a group of Boeing Mountaineering Course students were signing in for their evaluation hike. I used my headlamp for the first mile or so until the rising sun began to poke though the trees. Snow began on the trail at 2 miles and was steady after 3. As we gained 3500' of elevation the temperature rapidly rose as a result of an extreme temperature inversion in the region. After a short break for pictures and a snack by the rocks near the top, we headed around the back of the haystack.

The haystack was mostly melted off besides the standard scramble route up the NE col, which was filled near to the top with a mix of ice and slushy snow. Due our experience with this ~60' scramble we hatched a plan to alternate up to the summit to keep Automahn from danger on the slippery descent. Unfortunately I started up with the leash in my pack like a dummy. Auto ignored Joel's attempts to constrain him and had climbed half the way up before I could get to him, then refused to follow me down, apparently intent on making the summit himself. We completed our half-hatched plan and then spent the next hour slowly coaxing a stubborn mule-of-a-dog back down.

We regrouped and donned snowshoes while discussing route options for the remainder of the trip. We followed an established trench to Blowdown Mountain along old logging roads, with the occasional bushwhack between them. The road stops only a few feet from the summit, which has limited between thick sub-alpine hemlock. We followed the West side of the ridge to the Northern sub-peak named for Crater lake below it to the East. This provided a great vantage point on Dixie Peak, our next destination, as well as Mount Teneriffe, the Haystack, and the cascades to the North and West.

Under canopy the snow surface was crusty and tough to bite into so we accepted some elevation loss and stayed mostly to the ridge tops en route to Dixie Peak to save our ankles from the slope. The high point of the day provided near panoramic views. Rattlesnake Mountain, Issaquah Alps, and the distant Olympics looked like islands in an ocean of low clouds that extended as far as the eye could see to the West of the Cascade foothills. The cascades to the East and South were crisp and clear. We spent nearly an hour lounging in the sun, trying to fully appreciate spring-like weather at 4600' in mid January. My keychain thermometer read 55 degrees in the shade. Hard to believe.

On the way back we stopped at the viewpoint below the haystack to enjoy the first half of the sunset. Tiger Mountain and Squak Mountain cast impressive shadows on orange clouds over the Snoqualmie River Valley. Tahoma dominated the skyline even as it faded into the sky surrounding it. The day ended as it started in the dark, a sure sign of a satisfying day in the mountains, if you ask me.

More Pictures at http://jebtastic.blogspot.c[…]-mount-si-trailhead-at.html

Got to the parking lot around 10:30 and headed up. The first part of the trail is clear with some ice spots and a muddy section. The snow starts to accumulate around the 2 mile point. No view at the top today.

Made it up with just trekking poles without any problems, but put on microspikes for the hike down. I recommend using microspikes or something similar.

I've wanted to do this loop hike for awhile. I've read about it a few times.

Started out by parking at the school bus turnaround ... AKA the parking area for the Mount Teneriffe Road. Followed the Teneriffe road "trail" up to about 3.6 +/- miles and found the spur trail on my left to Mt. Si. The spur, maybe a half mile long, leads you to the top of Mt Si where you then connect with regular Mt. Si trail.

I followed the Mt. Si trail down 2.3 miles to the Talus Loop trail. The Talus Loop trail heads off towards the east. I followed the trail thru the rock/scree field, thru one complete switch back (going down so I was heading east again) and then found the cut off to the Teneriffe road at the next switch back. At the switch back, the Talus trail starts heading back to the west and the spur trail heads continues east. It is a short 10 minutes back to the Teneriffe Road. When you get back onto the Teneriffe Road … it is another 1.5 miles (or so) back to the parking area.

As for the conditions ... I used by Yaktraxs from about two miles up the Teneriffe Road but did not bring my hiking poles with me. The path is pretty much hard pack snow so I would not worry about bringing snow shoes.

The hike is a nice change from the regular Mt. Si. trail hike and I think it’s about 9 miles car to car.
 

Weather: Cold & (primarily) clear; fog near summit

Snow Conditions: Gaiters or snowshoes not required. Trekking poles and traction devices (we used Microspikes) desirable above (perhaps) 1700 ft or 1800 ft. There was about 6 to 8 inches of snow at the top where there was a moderate crust beneath (perhaps) 2 to 3 inches of fresh snow.

Time: Car to summit - 2 hr 20 min; car to car - 4 hr 20 min.

Companion: Amy.

I ended up getting a late start 8:43, but the car count was low and soo was the temperature.there was Ice on the stone steps and the trail before the first half mile (be careful if you go early).I put on microspikes near the 2 mile mark they really came in handy on the long steep runs. The top was almost perfect hardly any wind and someone even cleaned off the lookout bench, Thanks I have not seen it my last 3 hikes.

Woke up bright and early Friday morning to head north for a sunrise hike. Ended up not making it to the destination we had in mind because of how bad the highway was so we settled for Mount Si. We arrived on the trail head at 4:50 AM with our headlamps lit. Although there was a down pour we decided to hike through the weather. The beginning of the trail was rainy and slushy until about 1.5 miles in and it started to get more slush than rain. Between mile 2 - 3 we still had our head lamps on and noticed a handful of footprints for about .5 of a mile heading down the trail but none up the trail. This seemed very odd since it was 5 AM and no other cars were in the parking lot. It was also odd because it had been raining so much you would think that the tracks would be washed away if it was from the night before. Around the 3 mile mark it became extremely icy. I had a pretty hard fall at one point but only came out with a blood blister. After the ice there was snow matted down. No need for snowshoes. We made it to the tip top where the birds were waiting to be fed. On the way down it was a struggle to make it past the ice once again. We had to do a little off-roading in order to avoid slips. As we descended further we ran into a three-person team of search and rescue. They asked if we saw anything at the top. Not knowing what was going on we said, no, only a grey day! However, after further questioning we realized something was wrong and they were off looking for someone. We told them the information in regards to the odd foot prints and went on our way. About a mile from the trail head we ran into another team of about 6 search and rescuers. We told him the information as well and continued down. When we left the parking lot at 450 AM, it was completely empty. When we finally reached the parking lot after the hike, the lot was completely full of cars, police cars, police vans, etc. Come to find out that the parking lot was headquarters for the search. A few of the search and rescue members said they were up the night before looking for the missing man. We were surprised the lot wasn't closed off the night before.

It's always nice when a storm is 'late' and it turns out being a sunny day up on the hill, just hit this hiking window right. Starting out at 10 AM it was 36 degrees at the trailhead and slightly windy. Higher up it remained below freezing but the wind died down. There is one blowdown to step over near the top but otherwise no obstacles. Recent traffic packed the trail surface and freeze/thaw cycles make it very slick in spots. Lots of folks in running or casual shoes turned back at about the 2.5 mile mark. Bring some kind of spikes and poles for best results, always a good idea from now to mid-April. Higher up the pack was cold enough to be 'crunchy'. The top has some snow but not deep. The storm after this hike last night certainly dropped some fresh so conditions are different now.

As noted in the other trail report for this date, the trail was nice and clear up to around the 2.5 mile mark. Make sure you bring micro-spikes for the freeze-thawed ice sheet that lasts from around 2.5-3.5. It was windy but perfectly clear at the top.

When I reached summit clearing, I saw the missing skydiver jump from a helicopter hovering near the summit. I couldn't see his full descent as my view was obstructed by the rocky false summit. I only just now heard about this missing person. Good luck to all of the search and rescue teams.

Some down trees blocking the trail but nothing that you cannot navigate around to continue your path. Plenty of debris covering the trail with plenty more debris falling as the high winds continues. Be cautious of falling debris.
Snow starts at mile post 2 with lots of wet slushy snow and some icy spots. At around 2.5 miles the slush fades away and powder snow (a few inches) starts layering the trail. Postholing knee deep is a common occurrence at mile post 3 and beyond. Highly recommend bringing snowshoes for the last mile to the summit. At around 3.5 miles the snow can get waist deep in certain areas. The snow is more compact at this point so postholing is less of an issue. Once at the boulders leading towards the summit the snow is easily a few feet deep and again postholing becomes an issue. Lots of grey foggy skies for a view from the summit this morning.

: Lots of debris on the ground and debris falling from above
: Extremely wet slushy trail on the first 2 miles of trail
: Lots of snow on the last 2 miles of trail.
: Snowshoes would be advisable for the last 2 miles of trail.

We took the Mt. Si trail up to just below the haystack, which was covered in snow as I'd assumed, so we skipped it. From there it was on to our real destination. The seldom spoken of Blowdown Mountain.

We took the trail heading east along the ridge to connect with the Mt. Teneriffe Road-Trail. We took the Mt. Teneriffe road until it passes around the base of the southeast ridge of Blowdown Mountain. At this point we took what was left of an old road up toward the summit.

The road has completely eroded away making it little more than a nice path to follow between the trees. Snowshoes would have been very helpful at this point. The road is nowhere near level in any place so the depth of the snow got really unpredictable. As soon as we stepped off the Mt. Teneriffe road onto the old road the snow was up to the knee. You never knew when you were going in up to your thigh, but you could count on it at least once every few steps. It was very slow going for the last half mile as we made our way to the top of the old road. From there it was a very short bushwack to the true summit, which had just a sliver of a view to the north.

The real views on this peak are just to the south and the east of the summit, as you make your way up the old road. It provides very unique angles of the much more popular Si and Teneriffe, as well as a long view to the south. I thoroughly enjoyed looking down on a snow covered haystack with rattlesnake ridge as the backdrop.

We wanted to continue on to Crater lake Mountain to the north, but we were running out of daylight, and as it was we were going to be heading down from Mt. Si in the dark. We plowed back down the old road what felt like 5 times quicker than we came up and traced our route back to the car. The unique vantage points of Si and Teneriffe made it worth the trip for me, but when I come back it's going to be with snowshoes.

I arrived at the trailhead at 9:45am where a few cars already occupied a few of the front parking spots. It drizzled on and off until I reached 3400’ where the drizzle turned into snow and the scenery rapidly changing with trees covered in snow and a light dusting of snow on the trail. At around 3800’ the snow was coming down harder and thicker layering the trail with compact snow. The temps really started to fall (or at least it felt like it) near the summit and since there was no view due to thick fog I decided not to stick around too long. I counted 7 hikers (8 including me) with a total of three dogs on the trail this morning. The only thing I forgot was my gloves 
1: No traction devices needed (although I did take my Kahtoola’s just in case)
2: No trial obstructions
3: Drizzle turning into snow at 3400’ with heavy snow fall at the summit.

Trip started at 7:30AM, trail is in very good condition. Rained all morning. Low visibility and windy at the top. Very light dusting of snow only at the top; not enough to cover the ground. No real standing water to be concerned about, no fallen trees blocking path, no ice or traction devices need for hike.

Trail is clear and in good condition. One tree is down across the trail near the start, but it is easy to go over. It was socked in with clouds and fog for most of the day, and all throughout our time at the top. No snow at the top today.
The birds were very aggressive up at the top. Please don't feed them, they flew at my face and tried to take food out of my hand as it was going to my mouth! It felt a little like a Hitchcock film as they gathered around us... :)

Great trail conditions, given all the recent rain the trail was pretty dry. There is snow starting after the 3.5 mile marker and many hikers were putting on traction devices to come down from the top. I took the Talus Loop trail on the return trip, which is in great condition, no obstacles. The Loop trail was a nice reprieve from all the traffic on the main trail.

Patches of snow on the trail from around 3.3 miles. Picture is of Ginger the Hiking Poodle at the Summit. Met someone on their way down who said "Wow, this snow must have all just fallen over night -- I climbed this yesterday and the trail was bare ." This morning, it was only 1/4-1/2 inch of snow -- you could probably have climbed in any waterproof shoes, no need for poles or spikes, but the snow can accumulate quickly. It was warm at the bottom, but a brisk wind carrying wet snow at the top quickly froze my fingers, to the point I had trouble getting gloves on -- be prepared for the weather.

It's been ages so having finally renewed my Discovery Pass and having a friend who refuses to purchase one, we decided this sunny day was Mt Si Day.

It was chilly at the trailhead but after 10 or 15 minutes I took off the hat and a bit later the mittens. After Snag Flats the wind picked up a bit and it got chilly but I held off replacing my mitts and hat until about the last switchback.

Emerging at the base of the stone steps revealed a very windy and chilly opening. I went up the two sets of stone steps to find my swifter friend. He was descending due to the cold. I went for the view, got it and turned around. Once down back in the forest a spot of sun allowed me to stop, grab my sandwich out of my pack and keep hiking down and out.

When I stopped for the sandwich a pleasant young woman who has passed me a few moments earlier on her way up was heading down and in perfect alliteration pronounced the basin "f...in' frigid!" I agreed completely. I guess we need to readjust our thermostats.

It remained quite breezy and chilly till a bit below Snag Flats. The trail was occasionally doused with incredibly bright sunlight as the sun was at a low angle.

Good, tiring hike.

NOT a trace of snow or ice but some damp spots and leaf litter on the lower sections.

We started our hike at 9:30am and the parking lot already had 6-7 cars. It was a cold, clear morning and temperatures from mountain-forecast.com indicated 27-32 degrees. The trail was dry, with lots of leaf cover and allowed for a brisk ascent in 2.0 hours. It was my first hike on Mount Si. I had been doing weekly hikes on Tiger Mountain (Chirico, Tiger #3) and Little Si so I felt well prepared. It was a moderately steep climb that had my glutes burning but there were nice parts of the trail that were flat and allowed for recovery. A nice workout and upon reaching the summit meadow, the views were outstanding on this late-fall climb. Our descent took 1.5 hours and we encountered many hikers on their way up. It was cold for the entire trip - I'm glad I wore a down jacket, gloves, hat and wool socks.

The path was very well maintained. We encountered no snow but I read that light snow dusting at the top is expected this weekend.

We really enjoyed this hike. It was fairly difficult, but well worth the work. You are climbing pretty much the entire four miles to the top, and therefore actively descending the whole way down. We didn't use poles, but saw a lot of people on the trail with them.

Since it was a Monday, the trail wasn't very crowded. There was a tree or two on the trail and a little water in some spots, but nothing that was difficult to work around. It's quite a bit of work to get up there so you'll easily work up a sweat. It was also surprisingly cold at the top, so we were glad we had brought some extra layers to keep warm.

When we first reached the viewing point, there was a cloud layer moving through that kept us from seeing the valley and Mount Rainier. Luckily, it dissipated quickly and we were able to get some nice photos of the beautiful views.

Trail is in good condition. No snow left on the trail (compare to my trip report last week), though of course that can change quickly. Ginger at the summit in the photo.

It was a beautiful fall day for a hike. There was light rain on the trail when I started (7:15), but it ended part way through. There was patchy snow on the trail starting at 3.3 miles -- you probably would be fine in sneakers, though boots would be better, but no need for poles, spikes, or gaiters yet. (Of course, it wouldn't take much snow or sun to change that in either direction.) Parking lot was only half full when I finished (10:45 AM), so plenty of room.

Picture of my poodle (Ginger) at the summit.

Hiked up to see the sunset and it was amazing. We arrived at the trailhead right before 5pm on Wednesday and the parking lot was almost empty. We saw a few people coming down, but noone else going up.

As mentioned before in other reports, the trail is in great shape and it has a fairly contant elevation grade all the way to the top. It is quite a workout (for me). It took us 2 hours to get to the base of Haystack - sunset was around 7:20, so we pushed a little harder than usual to make it in time. If i was not under the pressure of time, i would have taken a more comfortable pace - I got there really tired.

All the effort was worth it. The sunset was amazing. The visibility was good, but not great - maybe it was because the recent fires.

In the links below you can find two 360o panoramas, the first from the rocks right after the trails gets out of under the trees and the second from the viewpoint close to Haystack.

http://photosynth.net/view.[…]ceb2-4fac-9ab0-614f6b306f03

http://photosynth.net/view.[…]3332-42ed-8ebe-d68c8638c731

Some hikes are harder than others. For me this was a hard hike. This hike was the most elevation gain I've done to date, 3100 feet. And although there are relatively flat areas along the hike, the uphill goes up and up and up.

I saw many trail runners (how they do it I just can't even guess) and people with dogs. It was a cooler, overcast Sunday and we started out around 8:15am so there wasn't as many people as I expected. Later when we got to the trailhead there were a lot more cars and we saw more poeple going up on our way down.

The trail is well-maintained and there aren't any hard-to-cross waterways or other areas. Thanks to all the trail maintenance people!

At mile 3, I was about to give up, but thanks to my patient hiking companions who stopped many times for me, I made it the last mile and to the top. The way down, like usual, was much easier and we even stopped to read the nature signs on the boardwalk about the Douglas Fir, forest fires, and how snags and undergrowth support life in the forest.

Third time up for me with Garth Hockersmith. Took my Nikon D700 for a few shots. Moderately difficulty, dry and fair number of hikers.

For those who want a variation in Mt Teneriffe summit hike, we started from Mt Si traihead. Up Si for 0.7 mile to signed Talus loop trail off to right. Go to most easterly point - a hairpin turn - where we took unsigned trail off to right (maybe 1/4 mile)to Mt Teneriffe road. This trail is past the the Roaring Creek trail. The unsigned trail easily does cross Roaring Creek - totally dry in August. Hike up Mt Tenneriffe road several miles, passing mile long spur trail on left to Mt Si, to its end - an overlook of lake etc. Take steep bulldozed road off to right. Go half mile of so to its end - look about 10 yards before end- off to the right to spy the summit trail. The trail is fairly rough at times, slippery with pine needles in spots, vague - some paint blazes and ribbons but WORTH it to reach outstanding views at nice summit. We returned down trail taking Mt Si spur now on right. Returned down Si back to car. The hike was probably about 14 miles and took 7 hours plus of hiking - stop time extra. No poles or rigorous boots used - just trail running shoes. Bring 2 liters of water each. Enjoy.

This is one of the most well-maintained trail I've been on. It's a pretty easy hike and the view is awesome!

I did the Haystack scramble because I don't like not having a 360 degree view, if I can help it. Haystack only took like 10-15 mins up and same with down.

I did some trail-running on the trip down and I got to the bottom in about 50 minutes.

I did this hike because everybody said it's good workout but it okay. However, I've hiked Mailbox and peaked Mt. Tenerriffe twice it made this trail look like it's for kids :-)

Good hike and nice view.

Safe travels and cheers!

We got to the trailhead around 10 am and ascended to the summit by noon taking nearly 2 hours for the 4 mile climb. There was parking available and we saw some people leaving at 10am !. Trail was in great shape and has 0.7 mile, 2 mile and 3 mile markers so you can keep tracking progress.

It was really sunny at the top which is the only point this trail opens up to mountain views. There were quite a few people sitting spaced out at the top. Clear skies and we could see Mt Rainier in the distance as well.

We make it back down in 1 hr 45 mins. Good workout for the tougher hikes like mailbox.

Arrived to the trail head just after seven and there was only six other cars in the parking lot. The weather was overcast and the air tempt was in the upper 50s or the lower 60s. The trail was in very good condition the whole way up and walked into the clouds by 3.5 miles. With that, there was no view at the top. By the time we got back to the bottom, there were about 20 cars in the parking lot. Much less crowded on a week day then the weekend.

Hoping the low clouds plaguing the West Side would dissipate, Baby Girl and The Boy joined me for our first trip up Mt. Si. Too many milkshake stops in North Bend on the way back from the East Side have concluded with "when are we going to climb that thing?", so this was the day. Since Herself climbed it back in high school with her CYO group, she declined the opportunity, so it was just we 3 setting off from the TH at 8:30 AM. There were already 15 cars in the lot; not bad for a gloomy, misty Wednesday.

We met at least two dozen people coming down, including 18 young soldiers who were on what look like a non-voluntary training session. The trail is in nice shape, and the forest is really pretty, even in overcast gloom. Humidity made it easy to work up a sweat!

Reached the open rocks at the top by 11 AM and had lunch. We were in a cloud sandwich; no views of the ground, no distant high peaks, but we could see foothills that were under 6000 feet. The sun started to burn off the mist as we clambered around the summit rockpile for more views, but decided against scrambling the Haystack, as one of our party preferred the latrine options at the parking lot to anything found up there. We never got the wider views we hoped for, but the sun did come out a bit as we descended at 11:45 AM. We passed about 50 people coming up, including 20 from a nearby youth day camp. Hope all those little ones made it up safely!

Lots of dogs accompanying their owners, and lots more earbuds in hikers than I am used to. We don't hike near Seattle much, and maybe the music is an urban thing? You can't hear the stream or the wind or the birds if you're "somewhere else". But hiking is personal.

Back at the parking lot, we tried the "baking soda" drink (chased with soda POP!) recommendation found on p. 39 of the Jul-Aug WTA magazine, and I didn't feel as stiff after our 1.5 hour drive home. Think I'll try that trick again to see if it really works. Try Si..on a weekday.

We arrived at the Mount Si trailhead around 2:30, and were at the top around 5:30. The trail was in good condition, and we saw a few people, although it was not crazy busy. We really enjoyed the hike, in-spite of the heat! After reaching the top the trail can be a bit difficult to follow as it goes across the rocks and around to the Mount Si summit. We did not attempt the climb to the top of Haystack.

Trip Photos - http://photos.wendellbeitzel.com/[…]/24145494_sXvBvw#!i
GPS Track - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1668898

  I was tired of waiting for the trails I planned to hike this year in the north part of the state to become free of snow so I headed south to hike Mount Si as part of my hike #26 this year. I tend to hike trails along the Mountain Loop Highway north to the Canadian Border but I was not interested in hiking ones I did last year. I wanted to add new trail reports and pictures to the WTA Site and videos to my youtube channel.
  I was well aware of the popularity of this trail and it lived up to its name today. After camping over night up I-90 about 5 miles from North Bend, I arrived at the parking lot very early at 5:30 am. I found 8 cars already there and by the time I returned at 11:00 am, the whole parking lot was full and lots of people were waiting for a spot.
  The trail starts off flat for about 50 yards and then its up hill with very little flat areas the rest of the 4 miles. It is in the trees all the way to the top but there is minimal water along the way so make sure you take enough. I will admit that this trail wore me out today but I finally made it to the top in about 2 hours 45 minutes with a ten minute stop half way up. The trail starts at 1900 feet and the top is 4167 feet so you will get a workout but it is well worth it.
  The views of Mount Rainier, Snoqualmie Valley and Haystack Mountain were spectacular as you can see from my pictures. I hung out at the top for about 1 hour while eating an early lunch, taking pictures, videos and resting from the hike up. While on the top I counted well over 50 people showing up within that hour and over 50 people that I passed going back down the trail. I chose not to hike up on Haystack Mountain since it is a bit of a scramble and I was alone when I got up there. I did get some pictures of people on the top of it. If you are young and brave the views on the top i've been told are unobstructed.
  This trail is well maintained with minimal mud and no trees obstructions at all. You can find several flowers in bloom near the top with lots of Chipmunks and birds trying to steal your food.
Checkout the video of this hike or over 185 other hikes I have done on my youtube channel at lmm3181 or click on this direct link for this hike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wdocBPqcyE
As always get out and see this great state and enjoy your hiking!
Take Care,
Mike

A few pictures from this hike: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/

I've never done this hike before but I know it tends to be very busy. Today was a gray day and I thought I'd give it a go, maybe it's less busy, plus you never know, the views might still be good from the top. There was a little drizzle then and actually quite heavy rain towards the end. There were quite a few people on the trail but still ok.

This trail is in pretty much perfect condition, wet in places but that's all. The only thing that's wrong with it is that it's pretty steep for most of the way, I was totally knackered at the top :-)I should to this again when I am in better shape!

A perfect day for being on Mt Si, warm weather, sun and a bit of a breeze. The trail is in great condition although it was a bit soggy from the wet June we have had.

We had a clear view of Mt Rainier once we got into the rocks and crags near the summit along with a few wild flowers, (Bear Grass, Davidson Penstemon and Moss Campion). The last time I was up there it was in snow, rain, fog and wind. This day made up for it all as we wandered around the crags at the top

Today is a beautiful day so I had to get out and get in a hike prior to work. Started at 08:33 and since I was solo as soon as I saw a couple of younger guys in good shape I tried to keep them in sight as a barometer to how well I was doing. When I arrived at the top 10:15 only 2 other people were there. I didn't do the haystack because of limited time but I did sit down and have a sandwich and looked out at Rainier in all it's Glory. Looking to Seattle and the Olympic's were kind of hazy but the view of Rainier was worth every step. A little water or mud here or there but who cares. This was a great day and hike. Thank you mother nature.

Mount Si never bores me. I've been doing the hike twice a week now for the past 6 to 8 weeks and I'm noticing the same patterns. Weather-wise, don't count on it being as sunny, warm or dry as it may be in Seattle or Bellevue. Typically cooler and breezier in the mountains, bring layers as it gets noticably cooler towards the top. For hot days, the water is at the trailhead so pack your own for the climb.

For your own sake, I strongly suggest against keds or shoes of that type because the trail is rocky at some points and is significantly muddier after a decent rain or heavy foot traffic.

Plow your way through/up the rocks at the beginning of the trail and it smoothes out relatively nicely, although is rather merciless is its continuous climb upwards. It's the best training/conditioning trail I've found. As I use it as a training trail, I prefer the weekdays, as the weekends can get a little choked up with hikers who aren't too familiar with the rules of the trail.

Be prepared for the roller-coaster ride through the potholes in the parking lot. Enjoy.

Beautiful day for a training hike and my first double hike. I started out at Rattlesnake Ledge as a warmup hike. Arrived at trailhead at 8AM, only four other cars in the parking lot. Trail was wide open and in amazing shape. Virtually completely dry, except for a small portion after the first big switchback (a bit past halfway to the ledge). At the ledge, met two other people who were enjoying the view. One was a bird watcher and i suggested to hike up to the third ledge (15 minutes further up the trail) Was back at my car by 9:30 and headed over to Mount Si.

Arrived at Mount Si Trail 20 minutes later to find several dozen cars parked and people milling about. Began hiking about 10:00am. Trail was in amazing condition, no snow at all, except at the very top there were a few patches on the trail that heads over to Haystack. Found the two benches near haystack and sat and enjoyed the view of Seattle, Bellevue and the Olympics for almost an hour. By the time i started back down the trail a minimum of 30 people were at the top soaking up the sunshine. On the way down i passed a minimum of 50 people (closer to 75) that were assending the trail. At times, there was a log jam of people coming up, so patience was needed and the rest appreciated as people passed. When i reached the parking lot, four rows of cars were parked.

As i began to drive back down Mt. Si Road, the sky's opened up and it began to pour.

Overall...both trails at Rattlesnake Ledge and Mount Si are in amazing condition.

Total hiking distance: 12 miles
Total vertical climbed: 4310
Total hiking time: 5hours 15 minutes (not including time at the top)

On a side note...I am thinking about starting up a hike for charity and would like to call it the Mount Si Rattlesnake Challenge, one reason i did the hike today was to test my endurance. If there is anyone that is potentially interested in helping run a charity hike, or participating in a charity hike...please contact me. The earliest i would think a charity hike could happen would be late summer/early fall of 2013. I am happy to share more details about this potential charity hike with any fellow hikers.

Enjoy the trails!!!

I'm surprised that with 50,000 other folks up there yesterday (May 19th), that no one wrote a trail report. I may have exaggerated a bit on the numbers but not by much.

Three weeks ago I was still cross-country skiing up Amabilis Mt and now its back to Mt Si. It was a slow trip for this guy but I did get up to the bench on the ridge (Haystack to the right and way-trail to Tenerrif to the left.

There was still a bit of snow in the basin above the rock staircases. Ate my early lunch at around 10:45 and headed down. At I hit the top of the lower staircase, I was actually taken aback by the sheer number of folks sunning themselves on the rocks. Must have been about 50 people and as I headed on down many, many more were on their way up.

Pretty dry conditions along the entire trail but I guess a week of dry weather and 80's or near 80's does that.

The trip down was uneventful and allowing those heading up to continue their pace, gave my knees and hips a brief rest.

I guess it's time to beat myself back into some kind of shape.

Enjoy the mountains...........

(aside, you'd think now that they charge us for parking here, they could fill the car-eating potholes)

Second trip to Mt Si this year. Got to the parking lot at around 6:45am and already there were 6-8 cars. The parking lot was beyond full when we got down at around 11:30am.Got much better weather this time and as a result the views were spectacular at the top.

Tried to go for the haystack but decided against it after a bit of a scramble. I wasn't finding a good hold with my boots. The rock seemed unusually slippery. Maybe I'll try again the next trip and find a better route or follow someone who's done it before.

Stats:
Time to Peak: 2:05
Car to Car: 4:35
Elevation Gain: 3500ft
Distance: 8.0 Miles (RT)

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.

What a great day for a hike! lots of people on the trail and all seemed to be in a great mood. Trail is in excellent condition and ready for the masses. Actually had a pleasent greeting at the top by 3 Mountain goats under the haystack.

First time hiking Mount Si. Arrived around 9am and there were only 2 other cars in the lot, though about 20 more arrived before I departed. As this was a training hike for Mt. Rainier, I carried a 65L pack with ~30-35 lbs. A t-shirt and non-insulated pants were plenty to keep warm on the steep ascent. Time to reach haystack: 1:40. Time to descend from base of haystack: 0:50.

The trail conditions were great; I wore trail runners and took microspikes in case packed snow or ice became a problem, but they were not needed. Shoes were a little muddy, but my feet stayed dry without Gore-Tex. There is still snow in the meadow, after 3.5 miles, but it's easily traversable.

Weather conditions were not ideal - cloudy with a bit of hail at times (friendly, soft hail). The view at the top was nonexistent, but reaching the summit was still gratifying after a long uphill slog.

After carefully considering the haystack, I decided to ascend to the summit. This definitely called for ditching the pack and putting on extra layers, a hat, and gloves. Especially when rounding the corner to the highly exposed final pitch, the wind was quite strong and cold. I ended up methodically making my way to the top in about 20 minutes, and took slightly longer to descend (remember that it's almost always easier to get up than get down as you assess whether you're comfortable continuing to the top).

A note about the haystack, since I wondered this myself after reading other accounts: Yes, a misstep can be fatal, however, I found that with due consideration given to finding and testing appropriate footing and handholds, the ascent route is quite stable, even though the rocks were damp and/or had frost on them. Take away the sheer drop offs and I would put it at a low class 3 solely based on difficulty.

Trail in pretty good condition although it seems to be getting a little more rootier and rockier every year due to high usage. Snow on trail is all but gone. Just a couple of minor patches left that wont cause any issues. Lots of people on trail today despite overcast conditions, drizzle and top being shrouded in clouds/fog. When I was up there I couldn't even see the haystack until I got really close to it. Had a quick snack and headed back down. Warning for the Keller guy still posted at trail-head. Was lucky and had a sigh of relief to not get cited because I forgot to put my Discover Pass up. Left it in the glove compartment.

Stats:
Time to Peak: 1:37
Car to Car: 2:37
Elevation Gain: 3400ft
Distance: 8.0 Miles (RT)

Mount Si is open and it was busy today. The snow has more or less melted near the top. There is a warning sign posted regarding the Keller guy they are looking for.

Our party of four 20- and 30-somethings started the season with a hike of Mt. Si. When we arrived at 10, the lot was almost, but not quite, full. With the amazing sunny weather, it was a tank-top hike all the way from the lot to the peak, even with snow on the trail for the last half mile. Traction shoes or poles were not necessary.

Views at the top were fantastically clear!

The trail was uncrowded enough that for long stretches on the descent, we were alone in the forest. Lovely.

It is such a glorious sunny day and we went up to nearby Mt. Si to get our cardio workout. Had a bit of a late start and got to a mostly full parking lot by 10 am. The parking lot is in a very bad shape with its moon-crater like surface. I'm hoping to see some good improvements with all the discover pass revenue.

The trail was not too busy as we made our way up. Patchy, compacted snow starts shortly before the 3.5 mile marker. There's a fair amount of compact snow some distance after the 3.5 milepost all the way through that last push. But we were able to manage without any traction devices. There were a lot of people up at the top. We ate our sandwich to a glorious view of Rainier against a blue backdrop and made our way down. While heading out, we noticed a search-and-rescue team at the parking lot. In the end I hope everything turns out OK.

This was the second hike for the season. We arrived late around 10:15 am, there were about 7 cars. The unpaved parking was so muddy since it rained last night. There were so many mud holes, puddles. You needed Discover Pass to park here. The entrances were full of moss, reminded us of the Hoh Rain Forest. Wow, the signed indicate the elevation was 4167ft. The climb started very steeps, we stopped at 0.7 mile, 1 mile, 1.7 miles marked to take a break and also taking photos to enjoy ourselves. Up to almost 2.0 miles mark, we decided to head back. It's already 12:00 noon and we were running out of time. We met couple experienced hikers, they told us there were plenty of snows at 3.2 miles up, so they have to head back too. It was a awesome hike even though we didn't complete our goal and reached the summit.

We lost a blue dog remote collar on the lower part of the trail. Please contact us at trailpair@gmail.com if found.

There were a ton of people on Mt. Si again today. The last 3/4 miles to the top is muddy and packed, slippery snow. Microspikes were very helpful!

Got to the trailhead at 9:30am. about 15 cars in the parking lot. SO glad we got here this early. should've came here earlier. Trail was in good condition, the last .50 miles there was snow. Microspikes made the last .05 miles 2x faster & easier. Did not attempt haystack. too many people up top. On the way down we must have passed 60 people going up. Dont think i'd do this hike again unless its way early in the morning.

Saw some people coming up in not the right gear & with they tiny little dogs. Would guess they would have to turn around or carry their mini dogs :)

Beautiful day for an awesome hike! Heading up the trail, it was definitely feeling warm. At one point, I briefly stripped down a tank top. That didn't last for long though - halfway up the mountain I was happy to have my longsleeve, and at the top I was happy to have a jacket. Snow did appear pretty abruptly at around mile 3. We had hiking boots and walking sticks that we picked up from the forest, which was fine. But if you wander off the trail at the foot of the Haystack, you will find yourself in knee-deep snow.

If you plan to attempt the Haystack scramble, you'll probably want to wear some waterproof pants and bring an extra pair of socks. The climb is do-able, but tricky with the snow. The ascent is nearly vertical... and although there are footprints in the snow all the way up to the top, I would recommend sticking to the exposed rock for climbing. A dog will probably NOT make it up this way. We found that butt-surfing was the best/easiest way to go back down.

The view is spectacular, no doubt about it. Even with Mt. Rainier covered in clouds, the panorama is breathtaking. There is still much snow in the peaks of the surrounded mountains, which in terms of scenery is definitely a plus. Seattle and Bellevue were also visible (and so tiny!) from the top.

Bring some food for the top, you deserve it!

And as far as crowds, the parking lot was packed. But we didn't see that many people on the trail. We also didn't see very many people at the top. It was a gorgeous, relatively warm Friday too. Perhaps crowds aren't as bad this time of the year.

Did the early morning climb of Mt. Si today. Below the 3 mile mark the trail is in great shape. The packed snow and ice starts at about the 3.25 mile mark. I put on my microspikes and I had no problem getting to the top. There is still some snow at the top but it is melting quickly. There were not a lot of people on the trail this morning. The sun was out the entire time. Fantastic day for a hike. It should be great tomorrow too, but with a lot more folks on the trail. Get there early, bring your poles or microspikes and have a great time.

It was a great day for a high up Mt. Si this morning. I got to the trail head at 7:10am. There were already 10 cars in the lot. Temp was about 32 degrees. The first 2.5 miles of the trail is clear of blowdowns. There are a few spots with mud. But these were easy to step over. The snow and ice starts just below the 3 mile mark. I put on my microspikes just past the 3 mile mark. I had no problems from there to the top. The views from the top were amazing. On the way down saw lots of hikers coming up. Lots of dogs with hikers today too. Oh, and one parrot.

It was a beautiful day for a hike. I started up around 7 AM, summitted at 8:45. I've been hiking Si all winter, and this was the iciest I've seen it. On the way up, ice on trail started at 2.75 miles, though as it warmed up, by the time I was coming down, the ice started around the 3 mile mark. The top .1 or .2 miles was particularly steep and icy. I'm not sure what it will be like later in the day. I would definitely recommend either or both of microspikes or poles. (I had both, and I still found coming down the very top to be a bit tough.) If you don't have them/have experience on icy trails, then make sure that you can get down anything you climb up. Also, if you get to the top, and are tempted to climb onto the rocks, please be very careful -- I saw someone with good equipment go up there two weeks ago, and then saw someone without good equipment try to follow him -- it looked like an accident waiting to happen, and when I warned him, he decided to be wise.

The way down was crowded -- probably more crowded than many streets in downtown Seattle. I'm not sure it counts as the "great outdoors" if there is a line for the outhouse (which there was.) By the time I hit the bottom around 10:15, the lot was full, with people already parking outside of the clearly marked spaces.

Sorry, I did not take pictures today. I got to the trailhead at 7:30am. There were not too many people here this morning. I got going quickly. The trail is clear of blowdowns and limbs. There is some mud and water on the trail. There were a few patched of ice on the trial between the 2.5 mile marker and the 3 mile marker. The snow and ice covered the trail starting above the 3 mile marker. Up to the 3.5 mile marker the depth was only 1 to 2 inches. Beyond the 3.5 mile marker it was 4-5 inches deep and then on the last section to the top it was over 6 inches deep. I was able to make it to the top with just good booths and trekking poles. I had micro spikes ready to go, but I just did not really need to use them. They would have been necessary if I did not have my pole. Most of the ice on the trail was been the 2.5 mile marker and the 3 mile marker.

Its been a while since I've done this one and I couldn't have picked a better day. I only saw 8 other hikers and a few dogs. 3:15 round trip to the top of haystack. Snow on the trail from 2.5 miles in.

Arrived in the parking lot around 10am. Lot was about half full. The forecast was for sun but we were met with clouds, this probably helped keep the crowds down a bit.

Started off on a steady, medium pace and took a small break at about the 2 mile mark before hitting the snow. I had my ice trekkers (slip on traction device like yak trax) and they were a massive help.

The last 1/2 mile or so is especially slippery and if you don't have basic crampons and/or poles you're going to struggle.

Made the summit in about 1 hour 45 minutes and felt strong. Hung out by the bird bushes for only 30 minutes or so as it was windy and the sun was yet to really poke through.

My two other hiking partners slid down the trail until it got back to mud, with my cleats I basically was able to jog down.

Sun greeted us on the way down and it was probably about 15 degrees warmer at 2 pm in the parking lot then 4 hours earlier when we hit the trail.

We try and do this hike once a year in the spring. It's a good challenge to see where you are physically entering the summer season. That said, the hike itself is nothing special, although the view at the top is a nice reward. The crowds take away some of the fun for me.

I started around 12:30 this afternoon up the trailhead. The parking lot was already full and cars were lining both sides of the Mt. Si road. There was plenty of people on the trail today. The trail is great-not too steep or rocky as some of the other trails in this vicinity.

Around mile 2, the trail starting getting really muddy and by mile 3, the trail was covered with snow. Being without traction devices on my shoes, this slowed me down a lot. Because of the steady stream of people packing down the snow, it was extremely slippery. I made it to the top in a new record (1 hour 13 minutes). The rocky summit was also very slippery, and I needed to make sure not to venture to far off packed down snow because of the very deep holes in the snow near the rocks. The views were fantastic and the weather was very clear and warm. I could see Seattle, Rainier, and all of the other beautiful snow-capped mountains in the Snoqualmie pass.

One the way down, the snow was so slippery, I just stood still and slid a lot of the way on my feet. The solid dirt trail at mile 2 was welcome to me as I didn't need to worry about slipping every 5 feet!

Overall, it was a great run to kick off my summer hiking spree!

 

Waking to a couple inches of fresh snow, I was eager to head to the pass and snowshoe. While heading up the road, I remembered that I forgot my snow shoes and poles, so I decided to hike Mt Si. Snow shoes would not be required and I did have my Yak Tracs. Poles would have come in handy.

Entering the parking lot at 7:45 the ground was covered in snow. One car was in the parking lot, and a second showed up as I began my hike. The trail was covered with light snow, as I started out. This snow was gone upon my return some 5 hours later.

I put the Yak Tracs on at the 2 ½ mile point. The further I climbed the deeper the snow on the trail became. At the 3 mile post, the snow was 3 to 4 inches deep on the trail. After the 3 ½ mile post, I fell several times and my arm post holed over a foot deep.

The weather for the day was expected to be bad, but to my delight the clouds began breaking up and the sun would sometime peek through. When I arrived at the normal lunch spot just before the steep rocks, I fed the 8 camp robbers (gray Jays). I would have turned back but for a couple young energetic hikers, who braved making a trail through the snow over the rocks. (I knew where to go, but did not have the comfort in making a path over rocks.)

Once around the rocks, I post holed over to the view bench. The view was awesome, and well worth the extra effort.

Great time to hike this trail.