Mount Si is one of the most popular hikes in Washington State and at 4 miles each way and 3150 feet of elevation gain it’s no nature walk. I have to assume that what draws nearly 80,000 visitors to Mount Si each year is its accessibility and spectacular views.
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Some hikers are finding this spring very frustrating, with a snowpack that might last well into summer. The lack of snow-free trails has dampened my motivation, with many access roads to favorite hikes still closed. Other than desert hikes, there’s not much available east of the mountains, either. The Olympics aren’t much better. The Hoodsport Ranger Station reports that many trails and roads at lower elevations are still covered by snow.
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Hard-core hikers might think of Little Si as a desperation hike for the rare occasions when its larger counterpart, Mount Si, is under snow. And indeed, kingly Mount Si looming above is hiked year-round by mountaineers staying in shape for summer climbs.
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