Mount Si Trail No. 702

Published 9:00 pm Friday, February 27, 2004

What: A steep, crowded climb above North Bend.

Where: Take I-90 to exit 31 in North Bend. Go east on North Bend Way and turn left onto Mount Si Road. Drive two miles to the parking lot.

Length: 8 miles round trip.

Difficulty: Difficult. There’s some ice at higher elevations.

Beginning elevation: 750 feet.

Permit: Not needed.

Notes: Sure it’s crowded, but where else are you going to get a 3,150-foot elevation gain this time of year? If there’s a break in the clouds, the views of North Bend and the Snoqualmie Valley are great, and, if not, at least you’ll know you got your exercise in. Be prepared for some snow or ice at the top, or turn around at one of the way stations on the trip up.

Andrew Wineke