Last full day of summer, 2014 - A short Activation hike to a beautiful mountaintop view from the somewhat smallish summit area of Mount Catherine.

A last minute decision to attempt a SOTA Activation on the last full day of summer 2014, led us to choose Mount Catherine, behind the Summit East (Hyak) ski area, near Snoqualmie Pass. 

A relatively early start allowed us to beat the crowds of later in the day on this beautiful fully sunny day, without a cloud in the sky.  To our regret, the berries were long gone due to the hot summer we had in Washington State.  However, the early fall colors and many mushrooms were in glorious display.

The most eventful aspect of getting to the summit is the drive to the TH.  Once past the Hyak community and ski area (Exit 54 from I-90, east end of Snoqualmie Pass area), Forest Service Road 9070 becomes progressively rougher, more rutted and with substantial sections of “washboard”.  In places the road is narrow enough so that passing a vehicle going in the other direction is a challenge.  We displayed our Forest Service Annual Parking Pass at the trailhead.  Although only about 4 miles from Hyak Ski area, the travel was slow.

The trail to Mount Catherine is found on the right side (North side) of road 9070 just before the PCT trailhead and Ollalie Meadows.  The trail is signed as Trail 1348, and is fairly obvious.  The round trip distance is only 3.5 miles and the elevation gain is approximately 1,500 feet (according to Summitpost.org web site listing for Mount Catherine).  The trail is in great shape, except for 2 fallen trees that must be climbed over or under.  The trail is mostly shady, and in large timber.  Even in the midday decsent, we had ample shade to make travel comfortable.

The summit area had sufficient area for deployment of my 40M – 20M Inverted V Linked Dipole antenna, although it became a little crowded in due course, as 10 other hikers arrived at the summit after I had started to operate.  There were many very strong signals on the band due to some HF contests going on, so it was a little challenging calling CQ.  I found it easier to jump in and make contacts with others calling CQ.  I made contacts on 20M, 40M and 2 meters FM.  The 2M contacts were satisfying as my contacts were both on other mountain summits (Burroughs Mountain, Mount Rainier National Park and Mount Townsend, Olympic Peninsula), although not SOTA activations.  I tried to encourage SOTA participation. 

We were back in Seattle area in time for the 2nd quarter of the Seahawks / Denver football game.  Altogether, a very nice SOTA Activation on the last day of summer.  I hope to undertake more Activations through fall and into winter season as well.