Trip Report
Day Hike - Teneriffe Falls from Si TH
We had a beautiful morning on Roaring Creek / Teneriffe Connector / Talus Loop and Teneriffe Falls trail segments, with a dozen bird species and 2 inches of fresh snow. Many thanks to my two hiking partners and Ajax for making some magical memories on a hike that almost got canceled!
Courtenay Schurman
- Tue, Mar 18, 2025
- Day Hike - Teneriffe (Kamikaze) Falls
- Teneriffe (Kamikaze) Falls
- Day Hiking & Naturalist
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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The Si trailhead parking lot could use some TLC, it's quite rutted in places. Three of us arrived before the crowds for a 7:15 departure time and there were only 3 other cars in the lot. By the time we returned around 11 the first lot was full. The toilets were freshly stocked with toilet paper.
The trail is quite muddy in places, and the higher we got, the more snow we found. Probably a good two inches at the Falls, but we didn't need traction or snowshoes. I used a pole on the descent so my dog wouldn't pull me off my footing, but tread is quite good.
My two Mountaineers hiking partners and I took my dog Ajax up to the Roaring Creek junction, over to the Teneriffe trail to avoid the Teneriffe parking lot (which I'd heard had not been open reliably at 7 a.m.) We crossed via the Teneriffe Connector and headed up the switchbacks halfway to the Falls for a half-hour snack and photos break. On the way down we tried the Talus Loop and were pleasantly surprised not to run into anyone.
No precipitation except melting snow from the trees. We even had some sunbreaks! Of the 12 bird species we encountered, the most memorable birdsong was 1) a dozen varied thrushes, 2) warbling Pacific wrens, and 3) probably a dozen Steller's jays mobbing what I thought I heard was a bald eagle but I can't be 100% sure.
A trail angel was doing some ditch repairs with a shovel, while his dog looked on, and four other large dogs were starting their hike as we returned to ours. We found a cell phone, leash, glove, and trekking pole at the trail kiosk just outside the latrines -- the phone still had power so it might have been left there today. Anyone missing a phone??
So glad this trip ended up happening. I had a record 18 people cancel from this trip, but all we needed was three. Absolutely beautiful morning. Lesson learned: try it, you may love it. I'm never disappointed when I go, only when I don't.