Seattle – the Emerald City of the States is known for many things, city din and traffic being at top of the charts. The city is heaven for the aerospace, IT, and retail sectors. But did you know you can find an imitation of heaven near Seattle in the form of Little Si? In this article, we’ll share a detailed guide on hiking little si. From top trails to tested tips and tricks, we’ll cover them all. So, let’s start.
What is Little Si?
Little Si is one of the most famous mountains in all of Washington. The Little Si summit is easy to reach as it’s a small mountain compared to the challenging Mount Si trail. The lush, deep, dense greenery is enough to thoroughly cleanse your soul.
Si especially attracts most locals from Downtown Seattle on weekends who want to declutter their minds. It offers a short hike and a nice view at a 41-minute distance.
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Overview of Little Si Trail
Hiking the Little Si trail is, without a doubt, more of an adventure than a challenge. The canopied forest that straddles its trails adds to the flora, allowing you to hike with a great view from the top. In terms of fauna, there isn’t much to be afraid of; birds, chipmunks, and squirrels are all there is.
Little Si trailhead is much more crowded than the world-famous Mount Si trail because of its ease and accessibility. It offers the same views as Mountain Si, including the majestic Snoqualmie Valley, but at a lower and safer upslope.
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Location and Trailhead
The trail to Little Si starts at the North Bend of King County. This city is located on the outskirts of the main Seattle metropolitan area, away from the business buzz. The trailhead direct route is perfect for beginners. In comparison, if you choose the Boulder Garden trail, you’ll opt for intense rock climbing alongside hiking.
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Difficulty Level of the Hike
The main difficulty at Little Si will be 0.4 miles from the hike to the main trail until you reach the signboard intersection. Similarly, the last steep three-quarters of the hike can be tiring for some. Overall, it’s a moderate hike for non-hikers and an easy one for professionals. One can easily cover this 5-mile round trip in 2-¼ hours minimum and 4 hours maximum.
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How to Prepare for Hiking Little Si?
Understanding the Elevation Gain
As blessed as Little Si is regarding vegetation, it has an easy 1200 feet of elevation gain. You’ll experience a steep incline in the beginning and end. Especially, the first three-quarters of a mile will break your back. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your pre-hike homework.
The Little Si hiking trail starts with sharp upslopes and switchbacks, instantly adding up the incline. After the calf-burning first quarter mile, you’ll reach the intersection between the Si and Boulder Garden loop trails. From there, whichever trail you choose, your path will be less intense than the beginning.
Getting the Right Gear for the Hike
When choosing your gear for Little Si, consider yourself hiking Mount Si. Why, you ask? The closeness of the two mountains makes them identical weather-wise, and the weather at Mountain Si is always chilly. Hence, you shouldn’t pack up light.
A hiking backpack must store the fuel for 3-4 hours. Layering is also key when hiking low-temperature elevations. So wear your base, middle, and outer layers well before locking yourself up with those trusty hiking boots. We also recommend taking a trekking pole, rope, and belay in case you need assistance.
Parking and Pass Requirements
There are two parking lots in Little Si, offering you two opportunities to get parking. To reach the main parking lot for Little Si, you have to make an exit on 436th Ave, turn left on se North Bend Way and drive 0.5 miles. Keep driving for 0.2 miles to 0.3 miles before turning right on se Mount Si rd.
The main parking will be somewhere between 0.3 miles and 0.5 miles. There are toilets in the main parking lot. The second parking area for Little Si is a bit cramped. You’ll have to get to the main lot by 8 as it will overflow with visitors.
Now, onto the passes; for hiking alone, you’ll need a Discover Pass, which will give you access to the Little Si hiking trail, the Washington State Parks, and the wilderness. This pass costs $10 per car or $30 per person annually. You can get the passes at the Washington Trails Association website.
What to Expect on the Little Si Trail?
Scenic Spots and Viewpoints
Little Si is famous for its breathtaking views, but what views are we discussing? Nature? Greenery? Or chipmunks? We’re talking about its surrounding areas. Little Si can give you amazing viewpoints like the Issaquah Alps.
The back side of Little Si also gives heavenly views of the Mount Si route with a section of canopied forest near its trails. You can also witness slightly foggy views of Snoqualmie Valley and parts of Rattlesnake Mountain. These views are soothing to the eyes and perfect to calm your tired soul.
Source: iStock
Navigating the Boulder Garden Loop
Many hikers find reaching the Boulder Garden trail hard, even with the hike Little Si map. The Boulder Garden trail starts a quarter mile into the main trail and facilitates many visitors due to its popular boulder-stone path.
To reach the trail, you have to first go to 436th Avenue se via i-90 after you exit 32. Then you have to turn left and go straight 0.5 miles on 436 Ave se. Then again, take a left on see, and in 0.3 miles, turn right on se Mount Si road. Between the 0.3 and 0.5 miles, you’ll read a wooden sign pointing to get on the Boulder Garden Loop. In about 0.4 miles on your left, you’ll find the cutaway on the Boulder Garden path.
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Interaction with Rock Climbers Along the Trail
You’ll encounter more rock climbers on the Boulder Garden trail than on the Little Si hiking trail. With most boulderers around, you should follow the outdoor climbing etiquette while interacting with fellow climbers. But first, you should follow the local etiquette of smiling or giving head nods when passing.
Also, make sure not to talk in a loud voice and maintain the peace of the mountain. Littering or burning litter is also prohibited as it can harm wildlife and disturb other climbers. If you’re climbing boulders, brush off the chalk marks, making it comfortable for clothes to climb on the same spot.
Source: Youtube
Tips for hiking little si Successful Hike to Little Si
Best Time To Hike Little Si
We only recommend hiking at Little Si in late winter when the snow is melting and in early fall when thin fog starts appearing. January till October are perfect for hiking Mount Si and Little Si because of the pleasant weather. Plus, the trail is really rugged during this time of the year, just like the Pacific Northwest trail.
Dealing with Crowded Trailheads
You’re sure to encounter a massive crowd on Little Si on weekends. Families, along with their kids, come to Si for sightseeing. Our best advice is to not visit Little Si on weekends. But if you do visit on the weekend, be considerate of others and maintain peace as much as possible.
Additional Activities in the North Bend Area
The North Bend area is home to some of the world’s most exquisite parks and trails. It has everything from the Remlinger Farms to Olallie State Park. If you’re there, we highly recommend dipping in the Goldmyer Hot Springs, which relaxes sore muscles and relieves stress. You can also visit the Twin Falls, a hidden gem of a location.
FAQs- Hiking Little Si
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Wrapping Up- Hiking Little Si
Hiking Little Si is easy and fun, both things you want to do on a free day. If you’re looking for a great outing with friends and family, this is the place. It offers the perfect views and opportunities to cut away everyday stress. So what’s the wait about? Wrap up your stress-loaded and emotional baggage and depart on the 3-hour escape from reality.