Mount Catherine — Saturday, Jul. 9, 2011

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Mt Catherine is not a bad option if you are looking for higher altitude views with no perilous snow bridge crossings. At 5052' there is still a good amount of snow on the way to summit, but the summit itself is clear. FS road 9070 is bumpy but snow free and passable with any car. There are a couple major blowdowns about 1/2 mile up the first set of switchbacks, right where you start entering the 'dirty' snow. It looks like a war zone and we opted to go straight up the hill and reconnect with the trail higher up, rather than try to fight through the tangle. We did find the trail again, however, it's very hard to follow once you get up on the ridge. Of course, it's a ridge, so it's kind of hard to get lost, but if you've never been here before and don't know where you are going, be forewarned, there is not a visible trail for the last mile or so - bring a topo map or wait for it to melt. Route finding will be your major problem. If you have been up there before, you know to follow the ridge to the right, staying just down from the crest on the right hand side most of the way, especially around the steep parts of the ridge. If you know where the trail should be, it's pretty easy to follow it under the snow. Post holing is not a big problem except around downed trees. Did not wear gaiters or chains. Brought a couple of freshly minted hikers with me and they had no problems at all. 1300' gain, about 3 miles RT and big views in all directions of Snoqualmie area peaks, Mt Rainier, the Olympics, Mt Stuart and off into eastern Washington. .