Another big two-summit loop: Catherine & Silver, Snoqualmie Pass, WA on 2016.07.14

A very different hike on Thursday than last week's Davis Peak, as the topo shows. Up to Snoqualmie Pass and south beyond the ski slopes to the Cold Creek trailhead. Twin Lakes are at the bottom of a bowl that I looped around counterclockwise, with side trips to summit Mt. Catherine then Silver Peak, and including a few miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. About 12 miles roundtrip and 3900 feet of climbing altogether. Lots of storm-downed trees on the Mt. Catherine trail which is little-maintained, some 4 and 5 feet in diameter that were a considerable challenge to get past. This hike has a lot of everything: old forest, lakes and streams and waterfalls, enormous views, tortured mountain landscapes, deep shade and bright sunlight. Highly recommended.

The wind really blows up here sometimes.

Upon Mt. Catherine's summit, formerly the site of an aircraft navigation beacon for Snoqualmie Pass over the Cascades. The guy cables and front panel of an equipment box are about all that remain.

From Mt. Catherine, looking across the Cold Creek basin around which I walked. My next destination was Silver Peak, on the right. Abiel is the next peak, then Tinkham, with Rainier in the background.
 

Lake Keechelus and off into eastern Washington.

 

 The Pacific Crest Trail at Windy Pass.

In Ollalie Meadow, one of my favorite alpine lakes.
 

After side-hilling through the forest beneath Silver on the PCT, a first glimpse of the southern ridge I'll eventually climb.
 

 

From the Tinkham/Abiel/Silver saddle, looking north at Silver.

Felsenmeer. This is really steep, and a lot of the stones move at least a little when trod upon. 

Up up up.
 

From Silver Peak, looking back at Mt. Catherine.

This is a really pointy summit.
 

And down down down again.