Two very popular trails. Hundreds of feet have compacted the little dusting of snow which, along with thaw and freeze, have made very slippery conditions. Trax make hiking these two trails so much easier and safer, although we had to take them off for several dirt sections. The Boulder Garden Loop branches off the Little Si trail. The east branch follows an abandoned road easily up to two junctions. The first junction is a spur that goes downhill. The second junction connects to old Mt. Si trail. After the high point the Loop trail descends steeply and slippery back down to the Little Si trail. The ascent up Little Si is slippery and there is ice on the rocks at the summit. The trail is easy and clear except for one large annoying blowdown just where the climb begins. Lots of people and dogs on the trail today, and two babies in baby carriers.

Several inches of slowly melting snow cover the full length of the trail, making for slippery, slushy conditions. Recommend traction devices (yak trax or what have you) as folks without them were turning back by halfway.

So how often do we get clear days in the 60's and 70's, in November, in Seattle? Not very often, at least in my memory. I managed to carve out a few hours to go hiking today...couldn't miss this chance! It was just the Wonder Pup and I today, and we only met a few dozen other folks, plus assorted dogs. There were cars in both lots, but neither was full. The trail is great, with just a couple of muddy patches left over from the weekend rain. Hope you all got a chance to enjoy this week. Undoubtedly my next trip report will involve copious amounts of Gore-tex... :-)

Wanted to hike Mt Si from the Little Si trailhead, but husband missed the turnoff. Continued on to the top of Little Si instead of turning back. Not much of a workout (less than 1 hr to the top), but it was a nice day. Could see some peaks, North Bend, etc. Some peaks had a scattering of snow on them. Saw broken glass in the parking lot in 2 spots. Car thieves must have been out recently. That's sad.