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Trip Report

Mount Si, Mount Si via Mount Teneriffe Trail, Talus Loop, Teneriffe Falls, Teneriffe Falls Connector & Roaring Creek — Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

Today, I parked at the Mount Si Trailhead because I wanted to visit Teneriffe Falls again, but from this trailhead to see if it would help me make up some time.

I began the hike with the downpour of rain as well as strong winds, which kinda make this hike with elevation kinda difficult, but I was able to tug inside some trees when the wind drift hit.

I first approached the Talus Loop and Roaring Creek intersection and was thinking that maybe this is the sector that was get me over to Teneriffe Falls. About a half mile into the Roaring Creek Trail, I decided against it, turned around and continued up the Mount Si Trail (I later learned on my way back that if I had took the Talus Loop (on the left), and then the Mount Teneriffe Trail (to the right after 0.7 miles), it would have taken me to the Teneriffe Falls Connector (less than mile from there); to me it beats the boulder rock climbs before you get to the switchbacks if you parked at the Teneriffe Falls small parking lot, but that elevator is brutal.

So, once I got back to the Mount Si Trail, I chatted with some hikers as they were coming down and inquired if this route had a Teneriffe Falls junction, but no one knew. As I continued to hike, I ran into another hiker and he stated that the Falls are not in this direction, it's actually about 1.5 miles east of here. 

Now, that I'm in a conundrum, I had to decide if I wanted to keep going to the Mount Si Summit, which was only 2 miles further, or head back to my car. My decision was made for me because moments later, I started to hear animal noises in the tree lines to my front, left, and to my right. Then in the shadows I saw 3 silhouettes and what I now know were cougars, so I backtracked down the trail, somehow hit the junction to Mount Teneriffe.

I started hiking in that direction, and ran into a nice couple, the husband and I conversed about our hikes and he told me, that had I continued to hike up to Mount Si, there was actually a junction to Teneriffe Falls and it would involve just a descent down to the Teneriffe Falls Connector Trail and it would have shave off my time. Luckily, he informed me that the Teneriffe Falls Connector Trail could also be hit from the direction that I'm going and it'll only be about 15 - 20 minutes and he was right. 

Unfortunately, as this was only my 2nd trip here and 1st coming from the Mount Si trailhead. It basically just took me across the bridge and to the elevation switchbacks to Teneriffe Falls. By that time, it was approaching 3pm and sunset was 4:15pm. Had I continued to hike to Teneriffe Falls, it would have been dark on my way back and I had already experienced this the first time.

So, I hike back along the Teneriffe Falls Connector, made that left, descended down for another half mile, hit the Talus Loop junction (0.1 miles) from that point, then the Mount Si Trailhead parking lot was only 1.4 miles from there (about 0.7 miles along the Talus Loop, then take the left at the Mount Si Trail sign junction (will be on your right), and you're 0.7 miles to the parking lot (all downhill).

Please be careful out there and just know, you can always avenge a hike later. Be wise and live to fight another day.

Peace and Blessings 😎 🫡

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Comments

How frightening seeing the cougars on a well traveled trail.

Posted by:


Pnwtrailsandtails on Dec 07, 2025 09:48 PM

It was pretty crazy but manageable. I had a blast yesterday

Posted by:


Soundscapes and Dreamscapes on Dec 08, 2025 11:14 AM

It's rare to see cougars in a group like that! What made you think they were cougars?

Posted by:


Silvatici on Dec 08, 2025 10:30 AM

Hi there,

I'm familiar with cougar appearances and mannerisms, plus I've encountered them previously outside of Washington.

Posted by:


Soundscapes and Dreamscapes on Dec 08, 2025 11:11 AM

Thanks! My comment wasn't meant as a challenge to your experience or knowledge, was just curious to know more about what you saw and how they behaved, this is the second report of a sighting in that area in recent months. Would be especially interested to know if you thought this was a mother and cubs, which is typically the case when cougars are together. I'm up there all the time, in the dark even, and have only ever seen bears. I did see a very large cougar a few years back while off trail just below the west ridge of Web Mountain.

Posted by:


Silvatici on Dec 08, 2025 12:14 PM

Hey,

I didn't take it that way 😎. You're cool, it's just amazing what you'll see in the PNW. I believe that's what makes it that special. Being able to share experiences is the best way to pay it forward for all nature lovers. I was encouraged to share my encounter on here to spread the word and I'll continue to do so. I did this each time I'm on trail and like to chat with hikers coming down to where I'm going and I do the same as I'm descending down a trail. We're all in this together 😎👍🥾💪🙏🫡💯🙌.

Posted by:


Soundscapes and Dreamscapes on Dec 08, 2025 12:45 PM