Mount Si via Mount Teneriffe Trail, Mount Si, Talus Loop & Mount Teneriffe — Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025

I ran to Teneriffe via the Si/Talus Loop/Teneriffe Trails, then took the Connector to Si, then took the main Si Trail back down. Parked at the main Si lot. Tenerife summit has Eldorado vibes, lol (see photo)

Teneriffe trail starts with snow after gaining about 2500 feet in elevation. I put on my spikes as soon as I hit the snow for better purchase but it wasn’t completely necessary.
The snow is icy during the last bit of switchbacks in the trees about 1-.5 mile from summit of Teneriffe, and only for small stretches. You will absolutely need spikes by then. Then the last .25 mile to summit is a bit slick with unconsolidated snow but with poles and micros pikes, it’s all good. The small pitch of about 50 feet descending from the summit needs slow careful footing.

I kept my spikes on through the Si/Teneriffe Connector (compact snow, some ice) and for about a mile down the main Si trail (mostly packed ice from so much foot traffic). Again, with spikes and poles, all fine.

13 miles and 5050 ft gain.

I parked a little after 10am and got back to my car around 2pm. Ample parking when I started and ended. It was not crowded at all the whole time. Si trail had the most people but pleasantly not as crowded as I’d expect on a weekend. Other trails were relatively empty.

It was cold on the Teneriffe stretch after the fork at 4000 feet. That ridge is shaded most of the time and gathers cold air. Si trail felt like a beach vacation in comparison and I could shed my layers.