Mt Si

Nothing to add to my previous post on Mt Si, but thought I would add some pictures from my hike last weekend.

West Tiger One from Preston

Perhaps the coolest thing about Tiger Mountain is the wide variety of trailheads that get you to the four peaks that comprise Tiger Mountain (three West Tiger peaks and the Main Tiger peak or East Tiger). Today I parked at a little used trailhead off I-90 exit 23. Called the "WSDOT" or "SE Preston Way" trailhead on all the trail signs, this trailhead starts you off north and a little east of West Tiger One. From there, it is a 3.8 mile, 2500 foot elevation gain hike to make it to one of the West Tiger One viewpoints (either West Tiger One summit or Hiker's Hut).

The trail from here starts as a pretty boring half mile walk along a power line trail. Watch for the Preston Trail sign, and that will start your ascent into the thick firs of Tiger Mountain. From there you will run across Dwight's Way (trail), the Bootleg Trail, West Tiger Railroad Grade, and Pop Top trail. Signs along the way will keep you on track for West Tiger One, although you can get there from a variety of trails and distances.

I took the straight shot this morning, and ran into snow about 2200 feet. No more than a couple of inches, completely passable, although slippery in spots on the way down.

At the top of West Tiger One you'll want to head to Hiker's Hut Viewpoint, on the west side of West Tiger One. From here you'll be treated to a spectacular view of Mount Rainier, and you can see Seattle on a clear day.