SATT: Teneriffe to Si Loop Hike + Scramble

This is a loop hike / scramble / bushwhack up and along the ridge running between Mount Teneriffe and Mount Si, hitting four named peaks in total. We'll experience all sorts of terrain, from steep climbers' trails, open forest navigation, some scrambling, and a little bit of bushwhacking. This will be a long day, with significant elevation gain, but otherwise not technically difficult, so if you're a strong hiker who wants to venture beyond the normal trails a bit, this is the outing for you.

Headlamp or Flashlight required for this trip. Leisurely start and short daylight hours this time of year means it's quite possible we'll be finishing after dark.

Please read the entire description before signing up.

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Roundtrip distance: 12-ish miles
Elevation gain: 6000-ish feet
High point: 4788 feet

About the hike:

Leg 1: Mt Si Trailhead to Mount Teneriffe (3.6mi / 4346ft gain)

Take the main Mt Si trail about 3/4 mi to the first righthand turnoff on the Talus Loop trail. Talus Loop is a much less travelled, but very well-made trail that winds through the forest. After another easy 3/4 mi, find the Teneriffe connector heading slightly downhill to the east at the apex of a switchback. This short connector shoots straight for maybe 1/10 mi to meet with the main Teneriffe road/trail. There is one creek crossing that may have high water after all the recent rain, so we'll work together to cross it safely.

Once on the old road/trail, head to the left (uphill) for a switchback or two and find a second connector trail on the right heading into the woods. This leads to the Kamikaze Falls trail, and the falls themselves in about a mile. After a short break to enjoy the falls, continue on the Kamikaze trail to the summit. This will be the steepest part of the entire trip, gaining something like 2300 feet in a scant mile. This leg gives us the bulk of our elevation gain for the day, as well as bringing us to the highest point along the loop at 4788 feet.

Leg 2: Mount Teneriffe to Dixie Peak (1.7mi / 841ft gain)

At the summit of Teneriffe, find the main trail coming in from the west. A little over a mile, find a boot path heading northwest into the trees. This approach to Dixie ascends through open forest slopes before breaking out on a grassy ridge overlooking Crater and Rachor lakes. A short traverse / scramble along the ridge and up the open meadow brings us to the true summit at 4606 feet.

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Leg 3: Dixie Peak to Blowdown Mountain (0.9mi / 484ft gain)

Retrace steps back down the ridge and into the forest. When the slope flattens out, instead of continuing back down the trail towards Teneriffe, stay on the flat and bend to the right (west) through the open forest. Continue to follow the ridge around to the right, crossing above an open talus field to the south. Pick out a short route up to the summit of Blowdown Mountain. Last time I was here there were a few scrubby trees to push through, but no big deal.

Blowdown Mountain is mostly tree-covered, but has a few open areas with views towards Mount Si to the west. Elevation around 4540 feet.

Leg 4: Blowdown Mountain to Mt Si (1.2mi / 248ft gain)

Blowdown Mountain is covered with the remains of old logging operations, and several old roads wind down from the summit. Head downhill, trending as straight southwest as possible to find the most direct route. An eroded gully provides an easy (though sometimes muddy) walk to meet the Si / Teneriffe ridge connector trail.

Once on the connector, follow it west to the base of the haystack on Mt Si. Elevation ~4000 ft.

If the conditions are dry, we still have plenty of daylight, and everyone's not dead tired from the hike so far, we may scramble the haystack and claim the true summit of Si. This is a YDS 3/4 (depending on conditions and the exact route you pick) scramble that can be dangerous if you're not careful. This part will be completely optional (I skipped it last time I did a long loop like this, since my legs were jelly at this point).

Leg 5: Mt Si back to trailhead (3.6mi)

Follow the main trail back to the trailhead. It's the Mt Si trail / highway, not much more to be said. We'll use the upper portion of the old trail to save a half mile or so, but otherwise we're following the herd on this leg.

Leg 6: Trailhead to local bar

After this long day, one or more pints of muscle relaxant are called for.

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Required / Recommended Gear:

2+ liters of water, food and snacks, sturdy hiking/scrambling shoes, 10 essentials.

Headlamp or flashlight required.

We'll arrange carpools at the park & ride. Be ready to depart at 8:10. We should arrive at the trailhead about 8:45.

Directions to the trailhead:

From Seattle, drive I-90 to exit 32. Turn left onto 436th Ave SE. Follow 436th to its end at SE North Bend Way. Turn left. In three-tenths of a mile, turn right onto SE Mt. Si Road. Follow it 2.4 miles. Entrance to the trailhead will be on the left.

Discover Pass required at the trailhead

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