Road 9070 from Hyak to Windy Pass has a few issues. Finding the start is issue #1 - drive into the Hyak parking area and follow the paved road down and to the left past several homes and through a gate. It appears as though you are driving into the sewage treatment area (or whatever this place is) but the road goes around and up. Issue #2 is the mulitple but passable wash outs - my Honda made it although Bill had to "spot me" for one section. The trail to Mt Catherine starts on an old road just short of Windy Pass and then turns to trail tread. The trail is in reasonably good shape; sometimes steep; sometimes flat. The upper flat areas still had a foot or so of snow coverage. Then there is one short but problematic snow traverse near the summit - ski poles highly recommended. In German, the terms Schwindelfreiheit and Trittsicherheit apply. Loosely translated that is: freedom from dizziness at heights and surefootedness. The summit views are pretty much 360 degrees since Mt Catherine sits off by itself so the 3 or so round trip miles and 1200' of gain are well worth the effort.
Washington Trails
Association
Trails for everyone, forever
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