A counter-clockwise lollipop loop hike to Mount Si.
Route: Beginning at the Mount Si trailhead, follow the Mount Si trail for 0.8 miles, turning east on the lower Talus Loop trail and connecting with the Mount Teneriffe trail in another 0.8 miles. Then follow the Mount Teneriffe trail north for 2.6 miles, and keep left on the Si-Teneriffe Connector trail which leads to the base of the Mount Si Haystack in 0.8 miles. Return to the Mount Si trailhead via the Mount Si trail.
Trailhead: About 10 cars were in the Mount Si parking lot at 8 a.m. and 25 cars at 1:30 p.m., but with lots of room for many more. The pit toilets were stocked.
Weather: Overcast and 57°F at 8 a.m. Partly sunny and 70°F at 1:30 p.m.
Trail: All of the trails were in good condition and easy to follow. A few sections of the Talus Loop and Mount Teneriffe trails were slightly brushy, but this was not an issue on this dry day.
While the heavy cloud cover in the morning meant no views, I found myself paying more attention to the impressive forest and enjoying occasional ripe huckleberries and thimbleberries along the trail. By the time I reached the base of the Mount Si haystack, the clouds were starting to lift, so I decided to scramble to the top for the view. I was glad to complete the haystack scramble once, but probably never again as the scramble was outside my comfort zone.
Once back on a good trail, there were plenty of spots around the southern base of the haystack to relax, enjoy a snack, and watch the clouds float across the valley, enveloping mountains and hikers in their cool mist.
Some numbers: 9.3 miles, 3600 feet elevation gain, 5.3 hours on trail, 1 pika, and numerous inquisitive gray jays. Saw 3 hikers during my uphill hike and 50 hikers on the downhill leg (but the trail never felt crowded).
One highlight of the day was watching 6 elk and 1 small deer cross in front of my car along Mount Si Road near the trailhead -- a good reminder to drive with care along these rural roads.
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