Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Mount Catherine
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. The trail climbs east up the flank of Mount Catherine, utilizing an old logging track for the first 0.5 mile. After crossing an old berry-filled clear-cut the trail runs into the forest before climbing switchbacks for 0.7 mile. Most of the elevation gain comes with these hairpin turns. Visit in early August most years and you'll find a rich crop of huckleberries in the trail's first mile. Once on the ridge top, the trail turns and runs steeply up the spine to the summit of the mountain. Along this section the trail pops in and out of forest, providing grand views as you hike. Tinkham Peak and Silver Peak can be seen to the south and, once atop Catherine, look north to the peaks of Snoqualmie Pass.
Driving Directions:
From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 54 (signed "Hyak"). At the bottom of the ramp check your odometer, then turn right, followed by a left onto a gravel road leading into a broad parking lot at the base of the Hyak Ski Area. Stay left as you cross the parking lot and find a road (signed "Hyak Estates Drive") leading east out of the center of the parking lot. Continue east through a series of vacation homes and public works buildings. The road soon turns to gravel and becomes Forest Road 9070. Continue up the road past the Tinkham-Silver Peak Trail to a small parking area signed "Mount Catherine" (if gun nuts haven't blasted the sign to bits again), about 8.5 miles from the freeway. Recent Trip Reports
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Mount Catherine
— Nov 04, 2011
— mOuNtAiNeEr51
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Snow on trail
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Thin blanket of snow on the road a little bit before the trailhead, but you can drive almost all the...
Thin blanket of snow on the road a little bit before the trailhead, but you can drive almost all the way up. I parked just a bit down from the TH. Trail is almost all covered in snow, though it is only 1-2 inches. Very easy and straightforward hike, and trail is easy to follow even in the snow. 1.2 miles to the top, took me less than an hour. No view for me today, though there is usually supposed to be a pretty nice view.
All the other mountains of Snoqualmie Pass and the I-90 corridor on both sides were in the snow. If you plan to go hiking up there anytime soon, expect a thin layer of snow, and cold temperatures. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
Issues:
Blowdowns | Mudholes | Washouts | Water on trail | Snow on trail
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We made it to the top of Mt Catherine in 45 minutes from the new? trailhead. From exit 54, just...
We made it to the top of Mt Catherine in 45 minutes from the new? trailhead. From exit 54, just under 3 miles down road 9070, the trail is on the right side. There is no mention of Mt Catherine, just a sign marked 1348. This is a very mellow trail with only a few hundred feet of light scrambling near the top, and the only sketchy section is endowed with a cable. Thick clouds with scattered snow and rain meant no view today.
After a quick trip up Mt Catherine, Maverick and I headed down the PCT towards Silver Peak. About 2 miles from road 9070 just after passing through a talus field and then losing some elevation with a few switchbacks, a cairn marks the Tinkham Peak/Silver Peak trail. Less than a mile down the trail splits to the North and South, and the one to Tinkham summit gets real steep, real quick. I will never again hike in possible snow without traction devices. Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage | Ripe berries
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail
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The trail was easy to spot as there were two cars there and a WTA work party sign next to...
The trail was easy to spot as there were two cars there and a WTA work party sign next to the 1348 sign. We saw five dedicated workers fixing the trail in the rain. THANKS to all the great people that work so hard on our trails!
There is some mud and water on the trail but it is mostly good. The cable sure helps with the final scramble to the top and back down. We like this hike in the rain and expect to love it when we come back on a clear day so we can actually see the views. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Fall foliage | Ripe berries
Issues:
No water source
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Driving directions fine and the few potholes are easily avoided. As in other reports, the sign saying 'Mount Catherine'...
Driving directions fine and the few potholes are easily avoided. As in other reports, the sign saying 'Mount Catherine' is gone but there is a post in the middle of the trailhead with "1348" on it.
The lower section had lots of Pearly Everlasting flowers in bloom and the last of a blueberry crop. The middle section has been repaired nicely, so the reported blowdowns are no longer a problem. Lots of bright flags to guide you, but they really weren't needed after the repairs. Nice job! There is one huge tree across trail but you'd have to be really tall to not be able to just walk under it. The upper section along the ridge is a beautiful trail, winding in and out with glimpses of peaks on both sides. The summit has spectacular 360 views and plenty of space. It's getting cold, so I'd recommend warmer clothing for time at the top. Took us an hour to reach the top. Highly recommended half day hike.
Mount Catherine
— Aug 26, 2011
— Mountain Boy
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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I've done this trail many times because it quick & easy with high rewards. However, there are now numerous blowdowns...
I've done this trail many times because it quick & easy with high rewards. However, there are now numerous blowdowns of huge trees which makes the middle 1/3 of the hike more like going thru a jungle-jim. If you have not done this hike before, it might be easy to get lost (but there are some flags). If you have done this hike before, be prepared for some extra fun.
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Mount Catherine by Foxterrierguy
2011
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