MT SI MAIN TRAIL

For decades I used Mt Si (and the haystack) for getting in shape for the upcoming hiking/climbing season and have been up the main trail dozens of times. Since I started climbing Mt Si there has been a major relocaion of the lower trail adding about a mile to its length. In the early days (1960's) I could get up to the haystack in about an hour. The relocation added about 30 minutes.

I always figure that if a person can hike from the trailhead, with your summit pack, up to the base of the haystack in 2 hours or less then you are in good enough shape to tackle any of Washington's mountains, even Mt Rainier although a time closer to 1.5 hours will make the Mt Rainier climb considerably easier.

My typical summit pack consisted of: rope, slings, some pro, a belay device, helmet, harness, ice axe, rain gear, 2 quarts of water and a 'ten-essentials' bag. To make my training runs more interesting I would take two ropes and rappel off the south face of the haystack.