| Little Mt. Si - 1576' | Miles: 5 | Gain: 1200' | Maps: GT - #174 Mt Si |
This was only my second After Hours Scramble with the Mountaineers and the first time for Little Si. The idea behind an AHS is to meet others at a convenient spot, condense into carpools and do your best to scramble up something nearby, descending at least to a trail before darkness falls. The trips don't usually get under way until after 5:00pm.
Just after crossing the new red bridge over the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River look to your left for the trail head and parking (pit toilet). A supplemental parking lot is being built closer to the bridge and a gravel sidewalk/trail connects the two. The parking lot gate is closed at dusk. Since we were pretty sure to be returning after dark we parked along the Mt. Si Road about a 1/2 mile away and walked to the trail head.
We followed the trail for 1.5 to 1.75 miles to a place where a sign advises hikers not to leave the trail. Here's where we left the trail. Up and to the left we climbed steeply over moss and forest debris gaining the south ridge, then heading generally north toward the summit. For the most part we were able to stay on the ridge, veering off to the east side to get around cliffy spots. At one point we scrambled up a short gully and on reaching the top found that a very large boulder (maybe 7'x4'x3') had slid about 3 feet down slope from near the top of the gully and was still perched a little precariously.
The rest of the scramble to the summit is over rock, under and around small trees (including some Manzanita) and a short stretch of slabs. Nice views to the south and west today under clear blue skies but a cool wind kept us from staying more than 1/2 hour on top. We followed the icy summer trail north off the summit. It descends steeply to the saddle between Little Si and Mt. Si before heading back to the south and the trail head. Along the way, there is a very imposing rock wall, which I understand is popular climbing spot. All sorts of new discoveries on this trip. The route we took involved some class 2 - 3 scrambling, slabs and one optional 8' dihedral. Pretty surprising as I always thought of Little Si as a family hiking destination. Depends on your chosen route or the family I guess.
Just after crossing the new red bridge over the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River look to your left for the trail head and parking (pit toilet). A supplemental parking lot is being built closer to the bridge and a gravel sidewalk/trail connects the two. The parking lot gate is closed at dusk. Since we were pretty sure to be returning after dark we parked along the Mt. Si Road about a 1/2 mile away and walked to the trail head.
We followed the trail for 1.5 to 1.75 miles to a place where a sign advises hikers not to leave the trail. Here's where we left the trail. Up and to the left we climbed steeply over moss and forest debris gaining the south ridge, then heading generally north toward the summit. For the most part we were able to stay on the ridge, veering off to the east side to get around cliffy spots. At one point we scrambled up a short gully and on reaching the top found that a very large boulder (maybe 7'x4'x3') had slid about 3 feet down slope from near the top of the gully and was still perched a little precariously.
The rest of the scramble to the summit is over rock, under and around small trees (including some Manzanita) and a short stretch of slabs. Nice views to the south and west today under clear blue skies but a cool wind kept us from staying more than 1/2 hour on top. We followed the icy summer trail north off the summit. It descends steeply to the saddle between Little Si and Mt. Si before heading back to the south and the trail head. Along the way, there is a very imposing rock wall, which I understand is popular climbing spot. All sorts of new discoveries on this trip. The route we took involved some class 2 - 3 scrambling, slabs and one optional 8' dihedral. Pretty surprising as I always thought of Little Si as a family hiking destination. Depends on your chosen route or the family I guess.
Directions:
Drive I-90 to exit 32 (North Bend - WA 202 - Bendigo Way) and drive north into town. Go right on E. North Bend Way to SE Mt. Si Road. Go left here and cross the new red bridge. Parking and the trail head are on the left just after crossing the bridge.
Drive I-90 to exit 32 (North Bend - WA 202 - Bendigo Way) and drive north into town. Go right on E. North Bend Way to SE Mt. Si Road. Go left here and cross the new red bridge. Parking and the trail head are on the left just after crossing the bridge.
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Last Revision: 09 May 2009