We had a great time hiking today. There was still lots of room in the lot when we arrived at 8 AM. The trail is in great shape, top to bottom. Lots of people, friendly and polite. Dogs were well behaved. A little bit of mud near melting snow near the top. Since we hiked with 40 pound packs today, we skipped haystack. Rainier was out. And the Olympics. 

Arrived at the Mount Si trailhead at 8am on Sunday. I was surprised to be able to park in the second row. Potholes in the parking lot are intense. Bathrooms were open and stocked with toilet paper. Took our time heading up Mount Si. No snow up to Si. Took the connector trail over to Mount Teneriffe.  Connector was snow basically the whole way. Crunchy, deep snow at times that slowed us down as we had to walk in previous deep footprints. Footprints were harder to follow on the approach up to Teneriffe. Luckily the snow disappeared quickly on the way down Kamikaze trail. Stopped at Teneriffe Falls, and then took the connector trail back to Mount Si trail. Didn’t make it back until the trailhead until around 4:45pm. 

Hiked Mt. Si today via the Mt. Si trail, there was one small snow field at the base of the summit block otherwise the trail is snow free. The scramble up the Haystack is bare and dry. 

trail was damp but great on a 60 degree day. expect snow to cover the last mile of trail to the meadow. I went with trekking poles which helped, but was wishing for microspikes after a few switchbacks of snow.

Yesterday was mild, partially clear, and dry, but we’re high maintenance, so we went today. If you like potholes you can swim in, mud, snow, the trail is a stream, some wind, and no views, then today was the day for you! Snow started right around the time that trench foot set in and the heel blisters were really singing. Spikes were helpful, but not necessary for those with a dialed in glissade. Snow was falling out of the trees at random intervals like whack-a-mole. I managed to dodge, but the husky took one right in the kisser. We did take a fair amount of the trail home with us, but we left plenty behind for others to enjoy.