I arrived around 8:30 am on Saturday morning, but I found the parking lot full. So I had to drive back a little and parked in the overflow parking lot. It only added a couple extra minutes to my hike. It was raining in a parking area. The path up to the first fork was very wet, water streaming down the trail. I decided to take right at Boulder Garden Loop. It was more gradual than if I chose the left. But still, you gain about 600ft during this half loop. Then I turned right at Old Mt Si Trail. It is not signed, however, it is well established and no obstacles were on the trail.
This was my first time going to Mount Si, so I can't tell how much steeper it is as compared to the new route. But it was doable. It is in better condition and less steep than Old Trail to Mailbox Peak.
Snow started to appear at around 2,000ft, but an actual solid snow cover was from around 3,000ft up. That is where I put on microspikes. I didn't need the gaiters because the path was packed down. Just steep and slippery. I also used my trekking poles the whole trail up and down, but I saw people without it. They just made it easier because I was carrying a heavier pack.
I made it to the Overlook on Mount Si, just shy of 4,000 ft. It was windy up on top, snow up to knees (maybe even deeper in some spots). I didn't attempt to go to the Haystack, as there was only one set of footprints going up, and overlook was where people were turning around. But I will be back in spring and summit!
I met quite a few people on the way up and down, but it wasn't crowded. Total time of my hike was little under 3hrs 30min with some minor breaks and one landing on my butt.
Despite the bad weather, the hike was very pleasant, challenging and offered some views from the top, despite the cloud cover.
More pictures and my route info: https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/a2380fb6d98c9c48e5d71a33a6d6513d/
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