Trip Dates: March 12, 2016 & April 15, 2017
Updated: January 2025

Mt. Catherine Snowshoe Climb

Hyak Lake
Hyak Flats
Nordic Pass
Mount Catherine (5052 ft)

Route Summary

Region: Central Washington Cascades

Sub-Region: Iron Horse Mountains

Area: Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest

Starting & Ending Point: Snoqualmie Drive / Hyak Drive intersection off Interstate-90 at Exit 54 (Elev. 2640 feet)

Way Points: Snoqualmie Drive / Cascade Place intersection & Nordic Pass Trailhead (road walk);  Little Hyak Creek & Hyak Creek & Lower Crossover Ski Trail & InterSummit-90 Ski Trail & Hyak Lake & Hyak Flats & Mill Creek Basin & Nordic Pass (snowshoe hike via Nordic Pass Trail)

Summit: Mt. Catherine (snowshoe climb via West Ridge)

Approximate Stats: 10 miles traveled; 2750 feet gained & lost.

Related Post

>>> Nordic Pass Snowshoe Trek & Ski Loop – detailed route description

Information Sources

The following links provide helpful information for planning this snowshoe trek. Even these information sources, however, should not be taken as a substitute for having the fitness, knowledge, equipment, and clothing required for snowshoe trekking.

>>> WSDOT road condition reports for Interstate-90 and Snoqualmie Pass

>>> National Weather Service weather forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area

>>> Northwest Avalanche Center avalanche forecast for Snoqualmie Pass area

>>> Other easy to intermediate snowshoe treks in the I-90 / Snoqualmie Pass corridor

Parking Comments

Parking for skiers and snowshoers can usually be found in the Hyak overflow parking lot (Lot E2) located near the intersection of Hyak Drive and Snoqualmie Drive. This overflow lot is just north of the main Summit East (Hyak) Ski Area parking lot. No Washington State Sno-Park permit is required here, but starting in the 2024-25 season, a Snoqualmie Summit parking permit is required from November 18 to April 30. If you have, or are purchasing, a Summit ski pass, parking is included for free; otherwise, the current fee is an outrageous $55 per day! l would never pay such an exorbitant fee, and I doubt that many others would either. Don’t be tempted to park on the residential streets within the Hyak residential neighborhood, because this is strictly prohibited. You could take the risk of parking in Lot E2 and not getting fined, of course, but I don’t recommend that. Fortunately, there are a few reasonable legal options:

• A. Park at the Gold Creek Sno-Park, which is located approximately ¼ mile away on the other side of Interstate-90. This is a good option if you arrive on a weekday, when ample parking is available. Be aware that a Washington State Sno-Park permit is needed here. 
• B. Park at the Hyak Sno-Park, which is located approximately ½ mile away on the same side of Interstate-90. This is a good option if you come on a weekend or holiday. Be aware that a Washington State Sno-Park permit and a Special Groomed-Area Sticker are needed here. 
• C. Purchase an Uphill Travel Season Pass from Summit At Snoqualmie and park legally in Lot E2. The current cost is pretty high ($45), but this is a good option if you will be doing multiple uphill jaunts at any of the Summit Ski Areas throughout the season.

Another possible option might be to park in Lot E2 on the days when the Summit East (Hyak) Ski Area is closed. However, I have not seen a specific policy regarding how parking will be regulated on closure days, so only time will reveal whether this option is feasible.

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Full Route Description

From the Hyak overflow lot, walk up Snoqualmie Drive to the hairpin, where the Nordic Pass Trail begins.  This is not a heavily traveled trail, but those who do use it know what a little gem it is.  For those of you who aren’t familiar, see the attached schematic map that I drafted up several years ago to show the route and navigation landmarks.  During high-risk avalanche periods, this is my safe, go-to snow tour.

Most of the route is well-marked with blue diamonds, although a few sections are a bit sketchy.  It’s fun to go “diamond hunting” and see how many you can collect.  Bonus points for finding the many-decades-old wooden signs along the way too.

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Upon reaching Nordic Pass, locate the old sign a few dozen yards north of the low point. This is a rewarding destination in its own right, especially when the weather is foul or the snow is unstable.

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From Nordic Pass, traverse southward through open forest for a short distance, then turn left and continue up the west ridge of Mt. Catherine.  This is an excellent snow route through widely spaced trees, and the final summit crest is wonderfully narrow and scenic. 

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When the weather is clear, the summit offers great views of the Snoqualmie Range and Keechelus Mountains to the north, with Keechelus Lake stretching out far below. Closely to the south are Tinkham Peak, Silver Peak, and other summits in the Iron Horse Mountains.

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For the descent, simply retrace your tracks back to the parking lot.

Equipment Comments

Due to the steep terrain encountered on the upper part of this route, I feel that a mountain snowshoe rather than a trail snowshoe is needed. Trekking poles and an ice axe are also highly recommended. For more information regarding the various equipment that I used for this particular trip and that I typically use for this type of trip, see my gear discussions and reviews on the following pages:

>>> Trail & Mountain Snowshoes

>>> Backcountry Ski & Snowshoe Packs

>>> Wintertime Comfort Accessories

Route Map

Click here for a high-rez printable PDF version of the map shown below.

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Photo Gallery

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