Mount Si

Mount Si is a long-standing conditioning hike above North Bend, Washington, climbing the western face of a ridge that overlooks the Snoqualmie Valley. The trailhead sits on SE Mount Si Rd, reached by driving I-90 east to exit 32 and following the road about 2.4 miles. Parking requires a Discover Pass, and the lot is patrolled, so vehicles should be locked with nothing visible inside. The standard route to the Haystack viewpoint is about 8 miles (12.9 km) round trip with roughly 3,150 ft (960 m) of gain, reaching about 3,900 ft, and it typically takes five to seven hours. Sustained climbing and the final scramble make the overall effort hard even though the main trail is well maintained. The surface starts as a wide dirt path through mossy second-growth forest, then becomes rockier and narrower in the upper switchbacks, with roots and loose stone. Shade is plentiful on the lower mountain, but the upper sections and the Haystack basin are open to sun and wind. A notable landmark is Snag Flats, a flat clearing with large burned snags about 3.5 miles up, a popular turn-around for hikers who want a shorter day. The last stretch above Snag Flats climbs to the base of the Haystack, a steep rocky scramble that requires hands and caution and is exposed in wet or icy conditions. Views from the main viewpoint reach over North Bend, the Snoqualmie Valley and the surrounding Cascade foothills. There is no water on the trail, no refuge hut, and no reliable cell coverage, so hikers carry enough supplies for the full day. Snow and ice can remain from November through May, and microspikes may be needed. Restrooms are available at the trailhead. Because the trail is busy, early starts help with both parking and temperatures, and descending takes concentration on tired legs.