I think this trail is worth mentioning to those who browse this site. This is WAY better than Mt. Si. The fact that it is 3 miles longer is enough to spend a saturday on. The grade is long and steep, a good conditioner. Finally, NO CROWDS, I saw about a dozen or so people the entire day. Snow started at about 3500', ski poles and gaitors were helpful. About a 1/2 mile past the shack, the footprints suddenly end. I bushwacked along the ridge for a few minutes, though I never found the path leading to the summitt' Stopped for a quick snack then started down, enjoyable views! Plan on spending a better part of the day, I left the car at 12:30pm, did'nt return untill six. Enjoy!!

What a perfect day for a hike! 70 degree weather, sunshine, and incredible views. We only made it 5.5 or 6 miles, not quite to the summit, we stopped and had lunch on that nice ridge close to the top with views in every direction. There was snow right after this, it was warming up very quickly, and we were sinking in it fast, so we decided to have lunch with a view of Mt. Rainier, the back of Mt. Si, Mailbox Peak... We saw only one other person taking a jog up the trail. I thought this trail was steeper than Mt. Si, but maybe the memory of Mt. Si has faded. In any event I'd take this trail over Mt. Si anyday. More views, longer hike, no mud, nice waterfalls in the beginning, less people... the list can go on.

Top 10 reasons that Mt. Tenerife kicks Mt. Si's butt(e): 10. The trail is 3 miles longer 9. The summit is several hundred feet higher 8. The trail is less muddy 7. The trail is easier on the knees 6. There are nice waterfalls first couple miles 5. The views on the way up are better 4. Dont have to risk death getting to the summit 3. Views from summit are better 2. There are WAY less people (and dogs) 1. On the way out, you get to laugh at the hapless folk lined up along Mt. Si road! Stats: 14 miles RT, 6 hours, only 6 other people climbing to summit (compared to ~1000 on Si); Ice axe not needed but bring it anyhow. Snow is melting fast; get it 'fore its gone!

Seeking a good distance conditioner and a summit vista for this mostly-clear day, we settled on the long road-walk up Tenerife, leaving the trailhead at 9am. Clear up the switchbacks, then snow intermittent becoming continuous. The snow was pretty easy to walk on, thanks in part to fresh sno-cat tracks. After a friendly chat with the owner of the cabin (maker of those tracks) the going got a bit harder. No need for snowshoes or ice axe; poles were helpful but not vital. A fresh dusting of snow on the treetops was melting, producing rain (of sorts) on the trail portion. Final slope to the summit has a bit of a crust, but not hard to break. Snow at the summit has reduced the amount of comfortable seating, but there is some bare rock to plop on while eating sandwiches. There were no bug problems at any time. 5 hours up, 3 1/2 hours down. I vow to never again try to have a post-hike meal at the North Bend McDonald’s, after being stuck several minutes in a traffic pile-up in the parking lot.

Sunny, warm and a dry trail for the first three miles. After that the dry trail turned to snow. Made it to the saddle just east of Mt. Si. If you're planning a hike up Mt. Tenerife, be sure to bring some snow shoes for the last two or three miles...it's a real pain otherwize. If you're planning on taking Cujo along, be sure to bring a leash.