Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Mount Si
Mount Si should be experienced at least once by every hiker. In fact, a significant number of Puget Sound residents do just one hike per year, and these annual hikers almost invariably turn to Mount Si every time. In the early spring, mountain-loving backpackers and climbers use the trail as a tune-up for the coming season. Others come because the trail is one of few that becomes snow-free early in the year. Land managers estimate that Si draws between thirty thousand and fifty thousand visitors a year, making it the most heavily used trail in the state. As a result, on any sunny summer weekend the trail will be crowded--almost to the point of having to take a number and get in line. Really, it's not that bad, and the steep trail soon separates the serious hiker from the casual mall walker. And Si's payoff is incredible: views of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley, the Puget Sound basin, and far beyond.
From the broad parking lot, the trail climbs moderately for 1 mile to the first views of the long hike. Here, at around 1600 feet, you'll find wonderful views from atop a rocky bluff on the side of the mountain. Hikers short on time and stamina could turn around here for a modest 2-mile outing. As you near the 1.8-mile mark, you'll sweep alongside a small brook, with grassy banks on which to rest. This is Snag Flat--the site of an old burn, as evidenced by the blackened scars on the trunks of many of the old Douglas-firs in the area. The trail then pushes on, never wavering from its steep ascent, until you finally crest the last slope and step out into the wildflower-filled meadow at the summit, or rather, the summit basin. The true summit of Si is atop the big rock "haystack" that towers over the edge of the meadow. The haystack does sport a scramble path to its summit, but the route is tricky, with incredible exposure (one slip and you'll plummet hundreds--thousands?--of feet). It's best not to attempt the Haystack, especially considering the added danger of other people kicking loose rock down, creating deadly missiles from above. Besides, the views atop the rock are no better than those you'll enjoy from the meadows at its base.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle drive east on I-90 to exit 32 (436th Avenue SE). Turn left (north) over the freeway and drive 0.5 mile to North Bend Way. Turn left (west), and in 0.25 mile turn right (north) on Mount Si Road. The large trailhead parking lot is on the left, 2.5 miles down the road. Recent Trip Reports
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Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Water on trail
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Beautiful day for a training hike and my first double hike. I started out at Rattlesnake Ledge as a...
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!!!
Mount Si
— May 19, 2012
— Just a hiker
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I'm surprised that with 50,000 other folks up there yesterday (May 19th), that no one wrote a trail ...
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) Day hike
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Second trip to Mt Si this year. Got to the parking lot at around 6:45am and already there were 6-8 c...
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) Day hike
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Brooklake Hikers (10 people & 2 dogs) set out on Mt Si main trail at about 8:45 AM. Parking lot alr...
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.
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What a great day for a hike! lots of people on the trail and all seemed to be in a great mood. Trail...
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.
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 Mt. Si. Photo by Bob Brooks.
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