Mount Catherine — Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021

I just hiked this trail and the gravel road in isn't that bad; you encounter one hairpin turn before you know it, but there's plenty of room. Bugs weren't bad, but I was slathered in repellant. And at the top, you could see Mt. Rainier in the haze, so the views are pretty good despite the smoke. This is a lovely hike; just right for a Sunday afternoon workout. I counted 17 switchbacks before reaching the ridgeline at which point you're only halfway there! (You know when you've reached that point when you see a patch of magenta fireweed.) The ridge gives you a nice view of the ski area and then you ascend a steep knoll with worse switchbacks. The last 20 feet fortunately has a steel cable to help folks up (and you will need it). Apparently the top is a well-known rock climbing spot, as there were plenty of steel spikes in the ground to hold ropes. I shot some photos of one couple that was trying to teach their 4-year-old how to go down the sheer wall. It's a wonderful summit worth spending some time there gazing at Keechelus Lake below.