Trails for everyone, forever

Home Go Hiking Trip Reports Mount Catherine, Cold Creek Loop via Tinkham and Silver Peaks

Trip Report

Mount Catherine, Cold Creek Loop via Tinkham and Silver Peaks — Sunday, May. 24, 2026

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Easy, quick loop from the trailhead at the 2930' switchback on FR-9070, to Twin Lakes via the Cold Creek trail, up the connector trail to the Mount Catherine trailhead at 3760', up and down Catherine, then road walk back to the start.

Road is clear of snow but pretty rough (not awful) for any vehicle with a bit of clearance (Crosstrek, Rav4 and the like) if driven attentively. One particularly deep washout at an intersection can be circumvented on the intersecting road.

One or two easily surmounted downed trees going to the lakes, with a bit of brush encroachment on the trail. The connector trail, on the other hand, is quite brushy with failed tread in places and a couple more substantial downed trees. If you feel like you're in a streambed instead of on a trail you're probably still on the trail. It was pretty dry today but on a rainy day it's likely to be muddy and a bit slippery. You'll wind up above a small canyon near the top, with a nice view down to some waterfalls. We chose the road walk back just for variety.

Mount Catherine trail is mostly in great shape and easily followed. Two downed trees of note, one along the trail instead of across it so you basically have to climb the tree horizontally (not difficult but requires some care). Trail is nearly snow free except for one patch on the north slope just below the summit that has a good boot track.

Unexpectedly great weather day for views!

Did you find this trip report helpful?

Comments