HesperosFlown

A parade of peaks lines Mount Catherine’s northern view, including, from left to right in this keyhole view, Snoqualmie Mountain, Lundin Peak, Big Snow Mountain, Red Mountain, and Kendall Peak.
Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.

Looking for a quick, hard hike rewarded by a mountaintop panorama just before the elevation gain becomes too intense?  Mount Catherine is your answer.

There are two, somewhat confusing starting options for this trail. The trail officially starts at the Cold Creek Trail trailhead. About 0.70 miles/1.10 km from the trailhead, the Mount Catherine Trail branches right from the Cold Creek Trail and continues almost another 1.00 mile/1.60 km to Forest Road 9070, merging with and following it north (left) for approximately 0.10 miles/0.16 km before continuing on the other side of the road. The trail’s upper section on the opposite side of the road is marked only by a small sign with the number “1348.”  Most hikers forego the lower trail and take Forest Road 9070 by vehicle or by foot all the way to the trail crossing.  (Beyond the Cold Creek Trail trailhead, Forest Road 9070 is often impassable to vehicles without high clearance, forcing many to take the lower trail or walk the road to the trail crossing, which adds about 1.00 mile/1.60 km to the round-trip distance.  If returning via the lower trail, do note that it is not marked where it departs Forest Road 9070; from the upper trail, remember to walk south — left — down the road approximately 0.10 miles/0.16 km and look for the lower trail ducking into forest on the right.)

The lower trail ambles through mostly old-growth forest along Cold Creek and its north fork until it reaches Forest Road 9070.  This section of the trail is little used and may be somewhat overgrown.  After crossing Forest Road 9070, the trail’s inexorable pitch begins in earnest and continues to the summit with few breaks.  Because Windy Pass, the low saddle between Mount Catherine and Silver Peak, was recently logged, the woodland surrounding the trail near the road still resembles a clear-cut, but does afford limited views of some surrounding peaks.  Old-growth forest resumes after approximately 0.50 miles/0.80 km from the road.  Both sections of the trail are rocky and rooted throughout; furthermore, the stony summit block is reached by either of two short (20-foot/6-meter), earthen scrambles — be prepared with the traction gear of your choice for such terrain.  The upper trail can be popular on weekends and holidays, but delightfully serene on less visited weekdays.  Other than the occasional vehicle passing on Forest Road 9070, little mars the woodland quietude on either the upper or lower trail.

From the lower trail, Cold Creek is seldom far from sight or sound. Cold Creek Trail, June 28, 2020.

The upper trail begins at Windy Pass and branches to the right off of Forest Road 9070, marked only by a small sign bearing the number “1348.” Because Windy Pass was recently logged, the upper trail’s lower elevations are bounded by young, relatively open second-growth forest.
Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.

Above Windy Pass, Mount Catherine’s old-growth forest persists, layering the trailside from the carpeted understory to the lofty, lichen-clad giants overhead. Mount Catherine Trail, August 12, 2020.

The trail reaches its destination atop Mount Catherine’s treeless summit block, which affords nearly 360-degree views. Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.

Mount Catherine’s summit views include the headlong flight back down to the Cold Creek valley where the climb began far below. For obvious reasons, great care should be exercised along the peak’s precipice. Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.

To the north and east, views skim the treetops to Cascade mountaintops beyond, including, left to right across the horizon, Granite Mountain, Kaleetan Peak, Chair Peak, Denny Mountain, Snoqualmie Mountain, Red Mountain, Mount Thompson, and Chimney Rock.
Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.

On a clear day, Mt. Rainier features on the southwestern horizon.
Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.

Completing the mountaintop vista, Keechelus Lake lies amid wooded folds to the east. Although Keechelus Lake is a natural lake, its volume is regulated by a dam to provide irrigation for the Yakima River Valley far away. Its name is derived from an indigenous phrase meaning “few fish” (as opposed to that of nearby Lake Kachess, which means “many fish”). Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.

In summer, butterflies flock to Mount Catherine’s barren summit block in what is believed to be a courtship behavior called “hilltopping,” by which the highest-flying males win discerning mates. These are Colonia checkerspots (Euphydryas editha colonia), one of many subspecies of Edith’s checkerspots. Look closely at the specimen in the upper right photo and you will see that even the checkerspot’s large, compound eyes are checker-spotted! Mount Catherine Trail, August 10, 2020.