Mount Si Old Trail

getting there

Take Exit 32 off of I-90 near North Bend. Turn left, crossing over I-90, and follow 468th Ave NE to SE North Bend Way and turn left.  Turn right onto SE Mount Si Road and then left into the Litte Si/Exit 32 Parking Lot (500 ft) shortly after crossing the bridge across the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River.

on the trail

Mount si (3,900 ft)

7 miles round trip hike, 3,300 feet of elevation gain, Difficulty: Moderate/strenuous

Hike the Little Si Trail and take either the southern or northern leg of the Boulder Garden Loop Trail to the "old connector trail." Continue to the intersection with the Mount Si "Main" Trail, turn right and continue to the top.

Note: The "haystack" jutting out of the meadow is the true summit and is a challenging and exposed scramble route. It is not appropriate for day hikers.

scramble routes

Mount Si HaySTACK (4,180 FT)

7 MILEs ROUND TRIP, 3,520 FEET OF ELEVATION GAIN, DIFFICULTY: STRENUOUS 3, TECHNICAL 4

From the meadow at the top of Mount Si continue northeast on the path to a wooden bench that marks the start of the Haystack scramble route. The path continues north to a rocky northeast-facing gully. Holds are plentiful and the rock is generally sound. There are many paths up the gully until you reach the saddle between the main and north summits. From here, turn south (climber's left) and make a few slabby exposed moves to reach the summit.

blowdown mountain (4,560 ft) and crater lake mountain (4,351 ft)

a 12-mile round trip scramble with 4,400 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: strenuous 4, technical 2

From top of Mount Si continue on the path and road to where that road terminates northwest of Mount Teneriffe. Ascend past 4,440 ft, then follow the ridge northwest, descend west to a saddle, and then ascend continuing west to the summit of Blowdown Mountain. The views are not great, but in winter, this is all that daylight may allow. From Blowdown Mountain, travel north, descending to a saddle and then ascending to Crater Lake Mountain.

Dixie Peak (4,606 ft)

a scramble with 4,400 feet of elevation gain, difficulty: strenuous 4, technical 4

From top of Mount Si continue on the path and road to where that road terminates northwest of Mount Teneriffe. Ascend past 4,440 ft, then follow the ridge northwest and then north to Dixie Peak.

INFORMATION FOR LEADERS

Permits

• Permits are required in this area for all fee-based (course-related) activities, regardless of group size.  Leaders may list trips at this route/place with the understanding that they need to verify that a permit has been obtained before running the trip (if required as outlined above). Permit applications are submitted to WA Department of Natural Resources annually in December. Please contact info@mountaineers.org with any additional questions. More details about permitting on WA DNR land as it applies to Mountaineers trips, as well as our current year Land Use License, can be found on our Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) page.
• Scrambles of Mount Si Haystack, Blowdown Mountain, Crater Lake Mountain, and Dixie Peak may also be scrambled from the Mountain Si "main" Trail. Please be sure to review activities on the Mount Si Main Trail route/place and contact the leader(s) of existing trips to the same destination to ensure there are no concerns or conflicts, according to The Mountaineers Outdoor Ethics Policy. Please review our Group Size & Multiple Bookings page for guidance.

• Suitable Activities: Day Hiking
• Seasons: Year-round
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Length: 7.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 3,300 ft
• High Point: 3,841 ft

• Land Manager: Mount Si NRCA
• Parking Permit Required: Discover Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12