If you're looking for a quick hike to some great views this is it! The hike is 2.4 miles round-trip and the views are just superb. You can see Rainier, Granite Mtn, Red Mnt, Tinkham Peak, Lake Keechelus, and much more. The autumn colors are just stunning at this time of year. This Trail 1348, now published on Green Trails Map 207 revised 2002. If you want a longer hike you can start at Snoqualmie Pass on the PCT 2000, adding 12 miles to this hike, or you can detour to Twin Lakes, adding two miles. The hike up Mt. Catherine starts out on an old logging road and then quickly turns into a fairly well maintained trail. There are a few minor logs to cross and one of my humans got stung by a wasp, so watch out! There is a nice resting area where you can stop for a snack shortly before you reach the summit, but go on, the extra time to reach the summit is well worth it. The last 25 feet up to the summit are a bit treacherous, very steep; some mud but there is a cable to assist you. On the way down we found a side trail, about 20 feet south from where we came up, which avoided the steep, muddy ascent and joins back up with the main trail 50 feet down. We wanted to get a bit more of a hike in, so when we got back to the trailhead we walked about 50 feet east, down the logging road to rejoin Trail 1348 to Twin Lakes. We hiked about a quarter mile but then the trail started to get pretty wet and muddy and unfortunately we only brought our trail runners. I guess Twin Lakes is better left for another time. Twin Lakes also can be accessed from a second trail, 1303, which can be reached if you go further east back down the logging road for about a mile and a half. Possibly this trail may be in better shape, however we didn’t get a chance to try it. To get to the Mt. Catherine trailhead take exit 54 off I-90 to the Hyak ski-area. Go past the parking lots and continue along the logging road for almost five miles, the trailhead will be on your right.

Mt Catherine was an after work stress reliever that rewarded us with some peak-a-boo glimpses as we hiked up a relatively well maintained trail. The few blowdowns were easily navigated and the terrain itself visually appealing. Several soft spots are all that remain to indicate the recently departed snow and footing is secure along steep stretches. Light bugs until we reach the top, where the 360 degree views kept us from noticing the mosquito welts until we arrived home. We started out at 6:00 PM and were back in our car by 8:00 with frequent stops for photos. Encountered only one dog and hiker pair, not bad for this high trail traffic region.

The drive to Windy Pass, Road 9070, was uneventful, no snow or mud, although there is erosion on one of the turns. After hiking less than halfway up the trail we ran into some patches of snow and couldn't find the trail emerging from the other side. We looked up and down and straight ahead. Having left altimiter and common sense at home and not having the best navigation skills, we turned back, not wanting to turn this normally easy hike into a tragedy. In hindsight I think maybe the trail switchbacked at this point and we missed it in the snow, but that is only speculation. We met another party coming up as we were coming down and wished them luck. If you go up and there is still snow you may encounter a lot of tracks that lead nowhere!

We started from the Hyak ski lifts this morning in blowing snow, darkness and howling wind. I faked lameness, then dispepsia, finally hysteria, but my partner brooked no excuses. Snowshoeing to the great basin below Mt. Catherine was hard but warming work. We crossed the running creek on a sagging snowbridge, then continued up a switchbacking logging road on the NE side of the peak. Alas! We hit our turn around time: the Dawn Patrollers had morning meetings in the city! As consolation, we built a snow shelter in a tree well, then nibbled on summer sausage in our cosy redoubt. Very hard work getting back up and down, our deep tracks were already covered. In the parking lot snowboarders waited for the lift to open. A tip: this would have been better with skis.

The trail began at 3700 feet and a lot of snow falling on Tues morning. We started upward and onward. Passing lots of blueberry bushes (Yum) we made it up the first set of switchbacks to the first level portion approximatly half way. The snow really started sticking at about 4300 feet, gaining elevation brought about 2 inches of snowpack on trail. This trail is beautiful the whole way up!! Little views due to lots of clouds but it was all worth the short trek to the top! Coming upon a small meadow the trail turns up a short steep ridge to find a cable to help you up to the snowy rocky top! Great views finally of Ollalie Meadows, Silver Peak and down to Snoqualmie Pass. Hurry and get this one in before the snow really starts to fall, its well worth it!