Wanting a little more quiet than the Regular Mt. Si trail, we opted to go up the Old Trail to Mt. Si. Parked in the Little Si trail parking lot, and headed .3 miles up the Little Si trail to the Boulder Garden Loop Junction. Followed the Boulder Garden Loop to 1400' elevation and then took the stone steps up onto the Old Mt. Si trail. Trail was easy to follow and after the first 1/4 mile of rock, followed by 1/4 of mushy mud, followed by a short steep root and dirt scramble, finally became a pretty descent trail. It is steeper in section than the newer Si trail, and has a lot of very short switchbacks which gain elevation quite quickly. In fact at one one point we were gaining 2400' per hour. It actually took us 2 1/2 hours to reach the summit, where the regular trail gets us there in 1 1/2 hours. It passes right next to the regular Mt. Si trail at 3200' (so close you see the traffic and think it is in your lane), then heads steeply up a ridge and finally rejoins the main Si trail at 3750 before the final push to the top. All in all about 3576' of elevation, and a total of 8.58 miles if on return to the Boulder Garden loop you continue on and complete the loop. Snow began at 3000'. Got icy and slick from 3100' on and traction was needed along with poles. Windy and cold on top of course, but had some views off and on. More pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33346716@N03/sets/72157626361243425/with/5614188215/

We wanted a snow free hike that would be short but have some elevation to make us happy. Little Si seemed a good choice. We arrived at the parking area at 9:30AM. The main parking lot was already full, but there were spots in the overflow. It took us only 2 hours to get up and down. For more info with pictures check out our blog....plenty of other hikes on there for you to check out as well! http://triplehhikers.blogspot.com/2011/04/little-si-north-bend-wa.html

Our plan was to go up to Teneriffe Falls but the parking was overfull, so we went to Little Si, where parking was loaded up with search and rescue vehicles (training sessions). In light rain, fog, mist, snow, graupel, and sunshine, we went up Little Si, returning to the trailhead--after lunch on the summit--via the Old Si/Boulder Garden Trails, for some extra elevation gain. None of us had ever seen the trails so sodden and, in many places, running with water--like hiking in a stream. Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nordique/sets/72157626415157602/

Instead of staying with the crowds I decided to venture on the boulder loop trail. I have never been and thought it would be adventurous. I was right. Im not in the best of shape but Im above average and I have to tell you I thought this little side trip was doosey. For someone who has never been, I highly suggest taking the first cutoff for the loop, its def a steady climb and not as bad as if you were to take the second cutoff and come back down. But if your a glutan for punishment take the second cutoff. I encountered only a hand full of people , and I actually enjoyed the different scenery as on the little si trail. I would def do this hike again ! I was very happy I met a gentleman who showed me where the cutoff was to the bi si trail. The trail has lots of mud and soupy areas. If you want a great hike and less crowds , do this as a sidetrip. I did the whole trip in a little over a hour. Happy Trails

The trail is in great shape. Absolutely no snow on the trail. Only a few muddy patches along the way.