TLDR: Recommend this hike for a clear day to catch the views, but make sure to pack sun protection in the summer months. Bonus right now of wildflowers, berries, and moths/butterflies, but be aware it's a bit buggy too.
Hiked this in the opposite direction: up Mt Si, over to Mt Teneriffe, down Mt Teneriffe Trail, over Roarding Creek Trail, and back to Mt Si parking lot.
Arrived on a Sunday ~9:50am and there was plenty of parking. Had the whole back lot to myself. Lot is fine for a compact car, but there are some DEEP potholes at the entrance and exit of the parking lot that require some navigation.
Mt Si was busy as always, but more people seemed to be coming down than going up. Was pleasantly surprised that most of the way from Mt Si to Teneriffe is in the trees, providing shade with dappled sunlight. There are a couple of exposed sections though (example pic below), so I'd recommend a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for these summer months. The rock pile at the top of Mt Si is also exposed, so same recommendation for there. Lots of wildflowers blooming right now and even the occasional edible berry. With the wildflowers in full bloom, there were a lot of moths and butterflies fluttering about which gave the hike a whimsical feel. Saw 4 different varieties!
However, there are also a lot of flies and possibly mosquitoes from Mt Si to Teneriffe. If you don't stop, they're not too bothersome, but at the Si and Teneriffe summits, they were quite annoying. I also heard what may have been a hive in the last mile or so of the Teneriffe ascent (lots of concentrated buzzing) but didn't see anything and was not bothered/bitten.
Views were gorgeous from both Si and Teneriffe (example pics below), though I'm partial to the view from Teneriffe. Rainier is nicely framed and the views are 360, rather than at Si where the rock piles and haystack obstruct the views in some directions. Saw three mountains from Teneriffe, all with some snow still.
Comparing Mt Si trail to Mt Teneriffe trail, Mt Si is definitely more shaded, but is also definitely more crowded. Teneriffe is quite exposed to the sun in some sections, but in the shade, there was often a cool breeze that helped compensate for the earlier roast. Didn't pass anyone on Mt Teneriffe trail, but passed ~50 people on Si. Teneriffe had more loose rocks/gravel, compared to the rock/log steps of Si, so I had a couple of slips on the way down. As a result, I'd recommend wearing hiking boots with ankle support for insurance if going down this route. Saved me a couple of times!
Saw a bus leaving the area when I arrived and about 3 on their way in when I left. One of the pickups said Capitol Hill, but I didn't catch the others. Seems like the service is pretty frequent!
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