I try to get a good solid day hike in at least once a week. I love to have a hiking buddy or two, but on my lone hikes I like to go to the popular hiking trails, so that I can be alone.. without feeling completely alone. That's why on a Friday, March 13th, I chose Mount Si.
Having hiked this trail a couple of dozen times, I knew the routine. I arrived at the trail head at 8:15 a.m., sucked down the last of my short double cappuccino from the drive through, hung my Discover pass on my mirror, grabbed my backpack and was off on my familiar adventure.
The KING 5 weather report promised high cloud cover and high 60's, so I was excited to get trudging up the mountain, working up that inner warmth that we hikers love so much. I was sweating within a half mile of the four miles to the summit and had to stop to remove my jacket.
At the two mile "snag" (you'll see an explanation of the snag on a reader board) I passed my old coach from my Team in Training days three years, when we were fundraising for cancer research. He had just turned around at the snag for a 'short' 4 mile trail run to stretch his legs before a meeting with his daughter's teacher. It's always super fun to run into people you know on the trails!
At the three-mile point the wind started to become more intense. It wasn't cold but it was growing stronger the higher I climbed. I had to readjust my clothing and put my jacket back on.
I arrived at the "first" summit, which faces south with a fabulously clear view of Mount Rainier, in an absolutely howling wind. My primary concern was keeping my hat on.
I continued up the little stone stair step to the other side of the summit that looks down onto the town of North Bend. The wind over there was a little calmer so I sat down to eat my favorite trail snack: Mrs. May's Fruit & Nut bar from Costco.
After a few minutes hanging around at the top, and experimenting with selfies using the 10 second timer on my iPhone, I decided it was time to descend my beloved Mount Si and head home to get started with the second half of my day.
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