Welcome to the Mt. Teneriffe winter scramble (S4/T3). With 10 ~ 11 miles and 3,800ft of elevation gain, this trip will be a very good conditioner with potential for excellent views of near-in climbing destinations (Little Si, Si, Dixie, Blowdown, etc) and the Middle Fork and Snoqualmie valleys. Rainier and the usual cast of Cascade peaks may also be well represented. Because this is a reasonably long trip and the days continue to get shorter, we should plan on an early start, arriving at the T... More

Welcome to the Mt. Teneriffe winter scramble (S4/T3). With 10 ~ 11 miles and 3,800ft of elevation gain, this trip will be a very good conditioner with potential for excellent views of near-in climbing destinations (Little Si, Si, Dixie, Blowdown, etc) and the Middle Fork and Snoqualmie valleys. Rainier and the usual cast of Cascade peaks may also be well represented. Because this is a reasonably long trip and the days continue to get shorter, we should plan on an early start, arriving at the Teneriffe TH beyond Si parking area at 7AM. Google maps indicates about 50 minutes drive time from the 65th P&R (via I-90 to Northbend) so those interested in carpooling should plan on meeting at 6AM. Also, if there are other carpool meeting places that make more sense than the 65th P&R let’s get started connecting and determining carpool alternatives. If you’re not familiar with the TH just drive approximately 1.2 miles past the Mount Si trailhead to a school bus turnaround on the left with a gated forest road, and you will need a Washington State Discover car-parking pass. Given the conditions you will need to bring: • ice axes • snow shoes • helmets • shovels (three for a party of twelve) • probes & beacons (bring ‘em if you’ve got ‘em, but don’t go out and buy anything) • and 10 essentials for winter travel (plenty of layers). We will start at the Teneriffe TH (910 ft elevation) on the Mt Si USGS quad 1.2 miles beyond the Mt Si parking area. The plan is to head up the forest road and take the right fork that diminishes to a walking trail with gentle switch-backs to Teneriffe Falls. From the falls a boot path inclines steeply and gains a ridge, and then remains relatively steep as it ascends the ridge to the summit at 4,792ft elevation. Depending on the “moxie” of the scramble team we will have some choices from the summit. We can: (a) head back down the way we came; (b) traverse the westerly ridge to the saddle and then descend on the forest trail making somewhat of a loop; (c) traverse the westerly ridge to the next bump and then scramble north to Dixie, then back to the saddle and down the forest road as in (b). That’s it for now. Please call or email with questions. Rgds, Bill (206) 852 3008 (mobile)

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