Stats first: we arrived at the Teneriffe parking lot at 9:15 a.m., got on the trail at 9:30. Outhouse was not stocked, gets a C- in the cleanliness department, and only one of two toilets was open. (Freud would have a field day analyzing trip reporters' interests re: toileting, right?). The lot was about 3/4 full on this bluejay Saturday, and lots of folks with doggoes were afoot. Most were leashed (the dogs),thank you! Temps were 30 degrees, up to 44 by the time we left a couple hours later. Trail was in tip-top shape for the first half mile. Once it joined the old road, the ice began--in patches. It was no problem till the trail started heading up, and in one stream crossing where a rock was mighty slick. I'll just say, poles are a goodly thing.
The icy conditions along the Teneriffe Trail put a damper on our ambitions, but we still enjoyed our time in the woods. Our original plan was to hike to the Teneriffe/Mt. Si Connector junction and then pull a U-ey, but it quickly grew apparent that if we hiked all the way up there, we'd have a "slick" descent upon our return. Being north of 60 and into preserving the bod for future adventures, I'm not a fan of ice-- especially the rock-solid, one-step-and-your-feet-are-flung-out-in-front-of-you kind. So when we hit the turnoff for Roaring Creek, we took it and absorbed that lovely trail. This trail was not too slippery, and it was peaceful. As we neared its endpoint, we came across a friendly WTA crew who were doing fantastic, and extensive, work along the trail. We thanked them heartily and ambled on till we came to the junction for the Talus trail (on the right). Along Talus, we saw no one. There are some nice, big "legacy" trees here (second growth, but over 100 years), both cedar and Doug Fir. Beautiful. The trail gains some elevation here, which meant that it was pretty slippery in places today. Both of us used poles. I would've used spikes, but the snow and ice was too intermittent for that. We connected back up with the Teneriffe trail and headed down.
The iciest areas today were the part of Talus as you approach the junction with the upper part of Talus and Teneriffe, as well as the Teneriffe trail itself--at least the part that we hiked on. Maybe higher up, you could put on spikes. Edelman slipped as we came down Teneriffe from Talus, luckily only suffering a bruised and slightly torn wrist. RT was about 5 miles. I'd like to return and explore the whole Talus Loop at some point--I hadn't realized its full length and route till today.
Happy and safe hiking, Everyone!
Comments
Great report. I hope Edelman is ok! SR
Posted by:
stever on Feb 25, 2023 05:13 PM
Thank you, Stever :-) Yes, he is doing very well, as evidenced by his immediate return to dishwashing duty.
Posted by:
bentley-edelman on Feb 25, 2023 06:03 PM
It was touch-and-go for awhile, but I survived. Thanks!
Posted by:
edelman on Feb 26, 2023 07:17 AM
As you know, my inherent humility ordinarily prevents me from commenting on other hikers' trip reports (that, and not often finding the need to read reports by other hikers). As an educator, however, I imagine you appreciate a desire for accuracy, and likely have offered a gentle correction or three yourself. Thus, as to the pic above titled as "A bridge along the Teneriffe trail," I must ask if it's actually the bridge on the east end of the Roaring Creek Trail?
I realize that in all likelihood Edelman was the hiker in charge of pic titles, but since this is presented as a "joint" report, I believe there must be joint responsibility. (One of the many reasons I so often hike, and write, solo.) Feel free to add another "helpful" click on one of my reports in recognition of this correction.
Posted by:
SuperHikr on Feb 26, 2023 03:10 PM
Ah. In fact, you may be correct about the pic title . . . it certainly looks more like the Roaring Creek trail vs. the Teneriffe. A rare mistake made on my part, for which I take full responsibility. Unfortunately, Edelman was hit hard by the implication that he could have been the culprit, and has retreated to the basement, where, bereft, he has barricaded himself in with a pint of Ben and Jerry's. While he's down there self-medicating, I will attend to the necessary editorial changes.
Posted by:
bentley-edelman on Feb 26, 2023 07:04 PM
I really appreciate your trip reports, especially in these kind of conditions, super helpful.
Posted by:
wafflesnfalafel on Feb 26, 2023 07:59 PM
Thank you very much :-) ! I enjoy your reports, as well. Your photographs are lovely!
Posted by:
bentley-edelman on Feb 27, 2023 07:29 AM