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Mt. Si

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.4 (127)
  1. Areas
  2. WA
  3. …Seattle and Puget Sound
  4. …North Bend
  5. Mount Si NRCA
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“A steep, well-maintained trail takes you atop Mt. Si with outrageous views of Puget Sound. ”

Ben Pontecorvo
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Map Key

6.6

Miles

10.7

KM

Out and Back

3,999' 1,219 m

High

717' 219 m

Low

3,281' 1,000 m

Up

3,282' 1,000 m

Down

19%

Avg Grade (11°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Discovery Pass required year round.

Overview

This is a classic, well-traveled hike leading to the top of Mt. Si. There is a small portion of scrambling at the summit that is optional.

Need to Know

Go as early as you can. Google Maps may say that the trailhead opens at 6am, but I was there by 5:30am and running with no problems. I met people on the trail who had gone up for sunrise and said they'd started at 2:30am. So no worries about the trailhead not being open.

Expect the trailhead parking to be full by 9am.

Description

From the trailhead, follow the well marked "Mt. Si Trailhead" or just follow the throngs of people on this deservedly popular trail. The endless switchbacks and steep terrain begin almost immediately, and will continue until the very top. This trail offers intermediate terrain that can be useful for both the novice hiker and a more experienced outdoors person training for a bigger objective. You'll gain more than 3000 vertical feet in under four miles of beautiful old growth forest. The canopy finally breaks close to the top, revealing some views to the South.

Once out of the forest, there are many outcroppings to enjoy your lunch and some views. Most people will stop here- but the more adventurous can continue uphill and right on a stony path to the Haystack, Mt. Si's true summit. This extra 150 ft of scrambling is class 3/4 and is well worth is as the views to the North are revealed.

On your way down please do not cut trails. What saves you 30 seconds can cause decades of damage. Also you'll need a discovery pass to park at the lot. Have fun!

Flora & Fauna

You will walk over three miles through old growth forest.

Shared By:

Ben Pontecorvo with improvements by David Leech
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 127 votes

#1

in Mount Si NRCA

#90

Overall
  4.4 from 127 votes
5 Star
49%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Mount Si NRCA

#5

in Washington

#90

Overall
32 Views Last Month
17,961 Since Jan 23, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

The exposed scrambling to the true summit of Mount Si - caution advised! Fun if you know what you're doing, but it would be very unpleasant if wet.
May 13, 2015 near Tanner, WA
Winter brings a different atmosphere to Mt. Si.
Mar 8, 2017 near Tanner, WA
Mt. Si Trail
Feb 18, 2015 near Tanner, WA
Mt. Rainier from the top of the Haystack on Mt. Si this morning.
Jul 10, 2021 near Tanner, WA
The "Haystack". People on the left ledge for scale. Look close above the triangle tree on the right, that's a climbing rope- hard core climbers!
May 2, 2017 near Tanner, WA
The Mountain is out! Clear skies abound at the top of Mt. Si.
May 2, 2017 near Tanner, WA

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Check-Ins

Oct 13, 2024
Tate S
Jun 30, 2024
Tris D
All the way to the summit 13.4mi — 3h 01m
Apr 13, 2024
yuj m
Feb 26, 2024
Julian Biberger
7.7mi
Jan 14, 2024
Matt Nakoneczny
6.7mi — 3h 24m
Nov 25, 2023
Brian Fielder
Oct 19, 2023
John Eun
No views until the top — 3h 00m
Aug 28, 2023
Mike Shannon
8.2mi — 5h 15m

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