WESTERN WASHINGTON

Summary

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If you live anywhere near Seattle, Mt. Si is a well known hiking destination. It’s steep enough to offer bragging rights to those who climb it. It’s gentle enough to entice novice hikers along with more seasoned persons, often training for more strenuous adventures.

Trail Stats

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Trail Details

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Easily one of the most popular hikes outside greater Seattle, Mt Si rises above the town of North Bend. It’s a distinguishable peak with its tell tale “haystack” clearly visible from the valley below. Parking is available in a rather large lot off the aptly named Mt Si road. On any given day that parking lot is filled to the brim with a few desperate souls circling relentlessly for a space. Lord help the returning hiker who simply desires to leisurely take off their boots, you will face an impatient stare down. Reminds me of vultures circling in a Costco parking lot.

The trail is akin to a highway of people, with about a million pardon me’s and alternating stepping to the side. There are so many people. And a lot could use a refresher on basic hiking etiquette. Or a whole class on the topic. I’m not being mean, it’s just the truth. Some people, it seems, lack basic consideration. And that is not limited to hikers, but very inclusive of trail runners. Dude. You picked a busy trail. Calm down a minute. The rules still apply to you.

Regardless of the crowds, I’m uncertain how many times I’ve even climbed Mt Si. A lot. In all four seasons. In just about every weather variable. Because it provides such decent elevation within what used to be a short drive from home. Climbers training for Mt Rainier frequent this hike, complete with laden packs. It’s almost guaranteed they will blow past you. I once had a trainee pass me not once, but twice, going uphill. Crazy that he summited twice in the time it took me to do it once.

The trail itself starts in and mostly remains within the woods. Elevation is gained via relatively gentle switchbacks in the lower section. After a bit you’ll hit a beautiful flat section full of old growth trees. It’s the only flat part of the trail. Comes with a lovely board walk.

It was here, on a trip down, that my feet flew out from under me and in a flash I was looking up at those glorious trees from flat on my back. I’m still not sure how it happened. One second up. Next I’m at eye level with the slugs. To make it more entertaining, an old gentleman (and I mean OLD, he was in his late 80’s) offered to help me up. I was in my 20’s. Talk about stereotype reversal. I had seen at least a dozen older hikers as he. After chatting with him I learned he was part of a group that went hiking about 3 times per week. They all went at their own pace and met back up at the parking lot. Talk about life goals. I want to be 90 and still crushing it up Mt Si without a care in the world. Fantastic!

After the short reprieve, the trail turns and steeply heads up. It’s mostly just steep from here on out. Though when you’re about 3/4 of the way up there is a small view spot through the trees, look for it as it’s brief and easy to miss. After traveling steadily upward the trail magically steepens even more. Because why not? It takes you to a rocky slope. From here the sky opens into views that, on a clear day, include Mt Rainier.

When I went with a group of Doug’s old co-workers one December, this is where we stopped. It was something of a tradition to do in December. In true engineer fashion, there is a list of names and how many years each person participated. Being December, the hike was chilly and being in this exposed section, while beautiful, was rather unpleasant. I hate being cold. Finding shelter from the wind in any nook in the boulders was a necessity. Especially as that group gabbed on about everything under the not so sunny sky. But there was tea and hot chocolate back at the trailhead. So that helped.

From here the trail heads to the right around the haystack, into a copse of trees. Once we left our old dog down here, secured to a tree while we climbed the haystack. Normally she was a *generally* good dog on hikes. This time she became a whiney female dog and made a nuisance of herself. So the next time we hauled her up with us. She did rather well, with just a little assistance. Little rock hopper!

She contentedly lounged atop the haystack. Until a tasty snack, in bee form, buzzed by. She lunged for it. Straight over the cliff that drops hundreds of feet down. Lucky for her I had ahold of her leash. And as she dove forward, I yanked her back. Hard. Lucky we both didn’t wind up bruised and broken at the bottom awaiting a med evac. She wheezed and coughed a bit but was otherwise unscathed. Dumb dog. It’s amazing that animal lived to a ripe old age with all the idiotic stunts she pulled.

On the descent from the haystack, I’m inclined to believe, she regretted her life’s decision. Up was way easier. She cowered and shook the whole way down. Before you think abuse, the first time I came down the haystack I also cowered and shook. I got over it. And so did she. Immediately back to a wagging tail and lolling tongue as soon as we were down. The dog, not me. It took me a few steps on shaky legs to recover that first time down.

Heading back to the parking lot, the trail maintains a sharp descent. Weird. Luckily it’s only 4 miles down. If your joints are inclined to protest, that short flat section is a nice reprieve. And from there the trail isn’t nearly the plunge downward as previously experienced.

Watch out for the circling auto’s ready to pounce on your parking site. If they are rude enough to honk I suggest putting your shoes back on and using the restroom, especially if it’s Sunday as the traffic West bound is awful. If you feel like being petty. Some days I am. Never said I’m nice. Don’t honk at me in the Costco parking lot either. I’ll double check my receipt before vacating the spot. Just kidding, I only maliciously do that in my head.

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