The road up to Mount Catherine is rough, but any vehicle going slow enough should be able to handle it. There are some potholes, and some areas where the dirt/gravel has been washed away showing bare rock. We were in a suburu, and it was a little bumpy, and we took it slow, but didn't have any problem.
The trailhead isn't even really a trailhead, just a place where the road is a little wider, with the trail leaving directly from the road. It follows what is clearly an old logging road for a bit, then connects to a very rocky trail up the mountain. There was one blowdown on the trail that was a little tricky to climb over, but it wasn't bad either. The trail is short but steep, with some views of the mountains around on the way up. The final push for the summit is very very steep, but not too long.
There are signs of an old air beacon on the summit, which can be a tripping hazard, so watch out for that. Otherwise, the views of Rainier, Snoqualmie Pass, and the surround mountains are stunning.
3.22 miles round trip
1319 elevation gain
1:50 total time
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