This was only my 2nd hike ever. I decided to tackle this trail for the challenge that it was. Not knowing the area I ended up parking at little Si parking lot. To get to Big Si you must pass by the first to parking lots, and enter the trail head there. One place online stated the total distance of the old trail was 5.5 miles opposed to the new 4.0 mile trail. The route I took was 1)little Si trailhead. 2) when you see the sign of Boulder Garden Loop Trail go right there. 3) At the next sign you see saying Boulder Garden Trail, Go right there up the hill, that will take you to the Big Si. When I went there was rain showers, but that was no problem at all and I hate the rain getting me wet. There was lots of mud on this trail in spots. one very small scramble and the entire trail goes upward. There was very few people on this trail. I think I passed about 10-12 groups of people on my way up. At one point I lost the trail very briefly at the point that the old trail connects to the new Si trail,that indicated by a orange ribbon tied to a tree. From the connection point it is not too far at all, after a short time I saw the first marker .05miles. there was snow in the higher elevation, so water proof shoes will come in handy, or your feet will freeze on the way down from walking in the snow. If you do not have trekking poles make sure you at least have a couple of sticks for the trek back down. I found to sticks that saved me from falling about 10 times.

I encountered packed snow starting at 3000', and lots of mud below that. I greatly prefer this to the standard route. It's steeper, but a mile shorter, and travels through denser forest. Most importantly, I only enountered about a dozen other hikers on this trail. Traction and poles were very helpful in these conditions. Coming down would have been very difficult without them. Some have commented they've had trouble finding this trail. The photo is the turn off onto the Mt. Si Old Trail from the Boulder Garden Loop of the Little Si trail.

Wanting a little more quiet than the Regular Mt. Si trail, we opted to go up the Old Trail to Mt. Si. Parked in the Little Si trail parking lot, and headed .3 miles up the Little Si trail to the Boulder Garden Loop Junction. Followed the Boulder Garden Loop to 1400' elevation and then took the stone steps up onto the Old Mt. Si trail. Trail was easy to follow and after the first 1/4 mile of rock, followed by 1/4 of mushy mud, followed by a short steep root and dirt scramble, finally became a pretty descent trail. It is steeper in section than the newer Si trail, and has a lot of very short switchbacks which gain elevation quite quickly. In fact at one one point we were gaining 2400' per hour. It actually took us 2 1/2 hours to reach the summit, where the regular trail gets us there in 1 1/2 hours. It passes right next to the regular Mt. Si trail at 3200' (so close you see the traffic and think it is in your lane), then heads steeply up a ridge and finally rejoins the main Si trail at 3750 before the final push to the top. All in all about 3576' of elevation, and a total of 8.58 miles if on return to the Boulder Garden loop you continue on and complete the loop. Snow began at 3000'. Got icy and slick from 3100' on and traction was needed along with poles. Windy and cold on top of course, but had some views off and on. More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33346716@N03/sets/72157626361243425/with/5614188215/

Hit the trail at 10:00am, was at the top by 12:00pm. Trail was in great shape, raining but not too muddy on the way up (the way down, a different story!). Hit snow patches around mile 3, about 3,000ft. I had on hiking boots and had trek poles, but forgot my yaktrax in the car, a big mistake! I made it to the top, but it was very icy and compact, I wouldn't have even attempted without my trek poles, even duck stepping I took a few spills on the compact ice. It was windy at the top with rain/snow, in the high 20's with the wind chill. I wore only shorts on the way up, but with the loose snow, would advise putting pants on immediately. The powder is pretty fresh in some places, took a few thigh deep plunges! Headed over to the Haystack, scrambled to the top, but wouldn't advise, I was lucky not to take a significant fall. Trail was pretty muddy and wet on the way down. Would absolutely advise (1) yaktrax/microspikes (2) A PACK COVER (even when it wasn't raining, it was dripping wet this early in the season) (3) total change of clothes in the car for when you get back! I was soaked to the bone, stripped everything off for the drive home. Even with a rain-jacket, you sweat through whatever's under it.

Today was a clear beautiful day to hike Mount Si. But instead of taking the popular route to the top, the adventure started at the Little Si parking lot. This is a nice hike that provides a variety of scenery as you hike the Boulder Garden Loop trail in order to start the old trail to Mount Si. Start the Little Si trail and within 0.3M you will reach the first sign for the Boulder Garden Loop trail(1.5M). I continued on the Little Si trail for another 0.2M and at this point started the Boulder Garden Loop trail which is the north section of the trail. The trail increases in elevation and is green with trees, moss and lots of ferns. Eyes were peeled for boulders and soon they appeared. Large boulders, huge boulders and unfathomable boulders along the trail. The sky seemed to disappear as the trail took you through the forest with boulders on each side of the trail. The Mount Si (old trail) begins off of the Boulder Garden Loop trail. The trail is easy to find (look for several large stone steps) even though there is no sign. The trail is in good condition however there are several muddy areas that will soon dry out and some downed trees and branches. Snow was on the trail at about 3,000 ft. Soon snow was covering the trail and the forest floor. Now wearing microspikes it was time to follow the boot path of prior hikers who had been on the snowy trail. At one point the main Mount Si trail comes close to the old trail, so you may see other hikers in close proximity as you near the top. Closer and closer to hooking up with the popular Mount Si trail, I had to giggle at the sight along the trail of the "Great Hiker Snowman" sporting evergreen hair, branch arms sporting 2 hiking poles and a stogie. The poor guy was missing his eyes so while I continued to reach the main trail and go to the top I knew I had to help him out. The summit was busy with many hikers including a large group of teenagers having fun begging the birds to feed out of their hands. Prior to this point, I had seen only five people on the trail and one couple with a baby on the Boulder Garden Loop trail. And for today, one can not forget to mention the wind. It was very windy all day and excessively windy and cold at the top. Therefore, it was uncomfortable to stay at the top for an extended time. With my mission in mind, on my way down I found a pinecone and evergreen piece to serve as eyes for the "Great Hiker Snowman." I also gave him a bit more evergreen hair. He is located a few hundred feet off of the main Mount Si trail so only those taking the old trail will get to see him. It has been a great year for snow, so I have a feeling he will be a lucky guy and have a long life for a snowman. My return trip included the remaining portion of the Boulder Garden Loop which also has many more impressive boulders, some used by climbers. It was tempting to hike Little Si but today time was limited and I knew I would have to deal with the high winds again at the peak of Little Si. Overall, the Little Si trailhead is a great place to start a hike offering lots of options.