This trip was triggered by the end of the season at Hyak which meant that parking would be plentiful. We learned from a year round resident that it happened to be the last day that forest road 9070 would be groomed for cross country skiing, and took advantage of the easy terrain to snowshoe the 4.5 miles to the Mt Catherine trail head. Despite tracking our progress with Gaia we missed the TH, but found it quickly from glimpsing the initial part that parallels 9070. After the first switchback we could only guess where the trail was, and climbed up wherever it was easiest. The snow was crystalline with great traction. We ate lunch halfway up after 3h of snowshoeing. Caught a nice view downhill when we reached the ridge. We followed the ups and downs along the ridge, and finally called a turn-around at 2 because it was a long way back to the car. Gaia suggested we were still 1000-2000 ft from the summit.

The crystalline snow was slippery on the descent and we wound up glissading several sections which was easier than controlling speed with green belays. Progress was faster once we reached 9070 again. We stopped at the warming hut (grateful that someone had made a fire earlier) to change to dryer and warmer clothes. The snow we enjoyed during the climb had now switched to rain. Reached the car after 8 1/2 h. 

The groomed road helped us get as far as we did. The distance (4.5 mi on the road, 1.5 mi to summit Mt. C) is longer than we normally do in a day. We plan to return in the summer to summit.

Try two on a winter Mount Catherine summit.. I failed again, but just barely. Turned around juuust under the summit because the final push was too scary (deep snow on an ultra steep slope that felt like it would give way beneath my feet and some run out… then that final scramble) I’m shelving this one until I improve my skills with winter mountaineering.. I don’t think the summit is safely attainable without an ice axe and winter scrambling experience.

 Otherwise the route I chose this time (green route on map) was way better than last time (light blue on map). Last time I started from the upper Hyak parking lot (which I didn’t realize at the time you need a special permit for..) and did a mix of groomed trails (most of which are only for skiers, though I didn’t realize that at the time either) and off trail shenanigans in deep unconsolidated snow with lots of hidden obstacles. It ended up taking forever so I had to give up waaay short of my objective. This time I parked in the Hyak Sno Park (which is only open 8am to dusk, and you need a sno park permit for btw) and just cut over to FR 9070 (there’s a small connector trail) which in the winter is closed and turns into a groomed xc ski/snowshoe trail immediately after the water treatment area.

 FR 9070 to the Mount Catherine trailhead is about 4.5 miles but because it’s groomed and has relatively gentle elevation gain, it’s pretty smooth sailing. There are a few decent views of Tinkham and Silver Peaks closer to the trailhead. It took me about 2.5 hours to do this section (I’m a slow hiker and I like to take photos.)

I ended up more or less following the summer route up Mount Catherine. On Gaia it looked like following the ridge was an option to mitigate some avalanche risk.. but since the forecast was low and the snow was fairly firm, I took the summer route hoping it would save me from bushwhacking and route finding. Sometimes even if there is no recent traffic, which there absolutely was NOT today, it’s easy to see where the trail usually is by the gaps between trees. This was not the case today.. I don’t think what I did saved much, if any, effort, so if I did it again I’d probably try to follow the ridge. Even though the Mount Catherine trail is only 1.5 miles, it took me almost exactly the same time as the entire road walk. This was very difficult terrain to break trail in. Steep slopes through close trees, heavy wet snow with a bit of a crust, route finding.. it was pretty challenging, but doable until just under the summit block where I finally threw in the towel.. I was pretty disappointed after being teased with tiny glimpses of a good view all day, but I just could not find a reasonably safe approach from any side and ultimately I have a wife and cat who would be pretty put out if I got myself killed being an idiot in the wilderness. 😖

Oh well, I still had fun and I’m happy that I gave it a shot. I really need to learn to use an ice axe though 😖😖😖😖

Winter is here! FR 9070 was open, and snow covered all the way from where it splits off from Hyak Drive E. We drove it until about a mile from the trailhead in an Outback with snow tires until we got worried about getting stuck and parked. We saw one other SUV at the trailhead, and 2 high-clearance off-road vehicles on the road.

The trail had about 1 to 2 feet of fresh snow, with a few spots of bare rock and ice. We broke trail the whole way up, the way was easy to follow. Waterproof boots and gaiters were sufficient for us - snow wasn’t quite deep enough for snowshoes to be needed yet.

Trail is mellow until the last 15 feet up to the top - some scrambling was required, and a snow cornice was forming at the top ledge, so we stayed well clear.

Beautiful day out! Felt like January in early November…

Beautiful fall hike. A fun quick hike that got us outdoors but didn’t take the entire day. We did put on micro spikes for the last part of the trail and I was thankful I had trekking poles. Such spectacular views on a clear day. We were blessed.

Our large group of six hikers met at 10 at the trailhead for a new experience hike for us, to the top of Mount Catherine. 

The WTA guide is very accurate and detailed and finding the hike entrance is described well here. I've included a picture of the hike sign entrance but its pretty apparent, especially if you set your odometer when you get off the freeway.

The hardest part and least enjoyable part of this hike is the road up to the trailhead. Its four plus miles of ruts, potholes and washboards. I saw one sedan trying to get up there when were leaving but I was very glad I had a 4-Runner with high clearance to get up and back today.

Once we parked and began the hike it was wonderful. A decent ascent on the way up but as WTA says, it is a short hike overall so a little over an hour after we started we were at the top. Tremendous views in all directions! And today we were fortunate enough to have very little haze, blue skies and very pleasant warm temps.

The top is described as kinda small but our group of six was up there with another group of six and later two more hikers showed up. There was enough room for all to sit, eat enjoy the views, take pics... and that included two dogs.

In general this out of the way hike isn't real busy anyway so I think I can speak for our whole group, you should get up there soon while we have this nice weather and try Mount Catherine. Its a keeper.