A picture perfect day except for the icy spots near the top. The prior report about ice between 2.5 and 3.5 miles has evaporated for the most part but the last of the long switch backs before breaking out has some icy spots, and then it is really slick just as you emerge from the woods just below the basin. While sitting I watched a few folks slide on their butts. I was pretty cruel, I graded one person a 5.6, 5.9, 5.9 as she whirled on the slippery spots. But with the current forecast, this trail report will probably be outdated in a day or so. Have fun and be careful on those icy trails.

Took the day off work to enjoy the sun. I wanted to do dickerman, but decided upon a safer option since I couldn't find my ski poles. Only a few people on the trail today, mostly near the bottom. The transition between dirt and snow on the trail comes pretty abruptly at about the 2.5 mile marker. Immediately after the 3 mile marker the trail became exceedingly icy and difficult, so I just went straight up the mountain from that point on. A few slippery spots, but for the most part it was easier off the trail than on. On the way back down I had great fun romping through the trees, sliding and ocassionally slipping. The views out twords rainer and the surrounding (raped) hillsides was refreshing. Downtown was barely visible through the smog but the olympics stood above it all. Great day to be outside. The snow is still thin enough not to fill your boots with snow, but the trail is VERY VERY icy in between the 3.5 and 2.5 mile markers, making traction almost impossible especially when descending, off trail the terrain is perfect for travel though.

Today it was WORK! But worth it. Pretty mild up on top and clearer than originally expected. No snow and pretty much mud-free. A good day, all in all.

The rains were over by Saturday morning. The trail was not as muddy as I expected. There were spots of sun while I hiked up. A few touches of snow and I mean just trace touches. There was fog at the top and a very brief bit of sun. It felt like an icebox up there - I guess I'm not quite ready for winter chills. Seems the DNR is doing trail work and forest restoration just under the Haystack. Actually, it with the nature of the signs and work, I thought they had turned Mt Si over to the Dept of Transportation! As I was heading down, the hordes were heading up. Good fall day.

I hadn't been up to the top of Si since the 4th of July (a great place to watch the fireworks of Puget Sound if the weather is clear!) and thought I'd get a little exercise. As everyone knows, this trail is a highway and is in great shape. My only disappointment (besides the rainy weather) was at the amount of shortcuts I've seen appear on the trail. People are cutting through the brush to shorten the trail and some very worn and shortcuts are appearing in places. Hopefully people will come to their senses and quit destroying the vegetation around the trail.