Alpine Washington

Another dry day in January calls for another hike! I'm continuing my theme of visiting the North Bend area peaks today with a visit to Rattlesnake Mountain, sometimes referred to as Rattlesnake Ridge. Like Tiger Mountain, this is one that everyone drives by all the time. Unlike Tiger Mountain, not many people visit this particular trail, though there are throngs of visitors at the far eastern end of it at Rattlesnake Ledge. My hike today starts at Snoqualmie Point, which is at the western edge of the mountain at about 1000' elevation. This mountain dominates the southwest skyline of North Bend, and I'm hoping for some good views from the top. It was cold rain in the lowlands last night, and from the drive up I can tell that amounted to snow in the mountains at about 1500'. Mount Si, Mailbox, and Rattlesnake look like one of those black and white cookies with light on one half and dark on the other. I park at the trailhead and am a bit apprehens...

The January weather this year has really been spoiling us, and clear skies call for hikes with big views! I finally decide that it's time to take on the challenge of Mailbox Peak. I even manage to persuade Jeannie to join me, which is great since neither of us have attempted this summit before. Mailbox Peak is the stuff of legend in the local hiking community, with the old trail being infamously bad, and the new trail being much gentler but long in the tradeoff. Harder than its neighbor Mt. Si, the old trail on Mailbox gains 4,000' in 2.5 miles. Our plan is to go up the old trail, but then down the new trail to save a bit of wear and tear on our knees and feet. As we head past North Bend and near the trailhead, I have butterflies in my stomach, which is an unusual sensation before a hike. Will we be able to make it to the top or will I run out of steam? Such is the reputation of this mountain that it inspires fear and uncertainty in those who have not conquered it. Nonetheles...

After reading a WTA trip report of another hiker who made it to Marten Lake over the weekend, I decide to attempt my first winter alpine lake hike. The weather forecast calls for a sunny Thursday and relatively warm temperatures. I know there will be snow to traverse, but according to the trip report, there is also a nice bootpath to follow. In addition, at 3000', this is one of the lowest lakes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, so most of the hike should be snow free. I pack a lunch and reach the Taylor River (aka Snoqualmie Lake) trailhead just after 8:30 AM - the Marten Lake trail is a short side trail that starts three miles in. Last time I was here on my hike to Otter Falls , the Taylor River trail was full of water, and the soaking rain didn't help. This time, it has not rained in about a day and a half, and the trail feels entirely different. Low spots that were lakes covering the trail before are now a small trickle easily stepped over, or dry altogether. The sun is...

After slacking off a bit around the new year with some easy local hikes, I decide it's time for some elevation. The weather forecast is for dry weather, which is a treat after what seems like weeks of rain over the holidays. I make a plan to climb Mount Si, which I haven't done in almost 20 years. With COVID still going strong, I decide to take the old Mount Si trail to get some more solitude. While unmarked, this trail is hardly obscure - it seems like half of the people who post trip reports are doing it this way. Still, it will be a new way to the top for me, and if the conditions are right, I might even be able to climb "the haystack" to the true summit. I have climbed Mount Si at least three times before, but have only been up the haystack once. I set out from the Little Si trailhead at about 9:45, after a morning dental appointment. It's actually quite warm and dry, though I'm prepared for anything at the top. At the second intersection on ...