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Area 2 - I-90 South
Mirror Lake Trail #1302
Length: 1 Mile
Gain: 450’
High: 4150’
Low: 3700’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From Interstae 90, exit 62, south
on road 54, 1.5 miles, right on FS Road 55480, past
Lost Lake trailhead.
Setting: Meadows, old-growth forest, mountains,
and lakes.
Directions: Mirror Lake oTrail begins near the edge
of a clearcut, quickly enters an old-growth stand of
timber, climbs gradually past Cottonwood Lake and
junctions with the Pacific Crest Trail near Mirrir
Lake. There are several campsites at both ends of
Cottonwood and Mirror Lake.
Length: 1 Mile
Gain: 450’
High: 4150’
Low: 3700’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From Interstae 90, exit 62, south
on road 54, 1.5 miles, right on FS Road 55480, past
Lost Lake trailhead.
Setting: Meadows, old-growth forest, mountains,
and lakes.
Directions: Mirror Lake oTrail begins near the edge
of a clearcut, quickly enters an old-growth stand of
timber, climbs gradually past Cottonwood Lake and
junctions with the Pacific Crest Trail near Mirrir
Lake. There are several campsites at both ends of
Cottonwood and Mirror Lake.
Cold Creek Trail #1303
Length: 2.3 Miles
Gain: 1370’
High: 4320’
Low: 2950’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 Exit 54, drive south
through Summit East parking lot, exit lot to the left
downhill on FS Road 9070, past the sewer plant.
Follow this road approximately 3.5 miles to
trailhead, which is a switchback to the right in the
road.
Setting: Large old-growth, valley bottom, riparian
zone, lake, ridgetop, one clearcut.
Parking and Facilities: There is roadside parking for
5+ vehicles.
Directions: On an easy grade to win Lakes, the trail
crosses the creek at the outlet of the lower lake,
then begins climbing, at times steeply, to the
junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. In places this
trail is very brushy, but for the most part it is in good
shape. A good loop may be made by using the
Pacific Crest and Catherine trails. Portions of the
trail to Twin Lakes could be used by snowshoers
and skiers.
Length: 2.3 Miles
Gain: 1370’
High: 4320’
Low: 2950’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 Exit 54, drive south
through Summit East parking lot, exit lot to the left
downhill on FS Road 9070, past the sewer plant.
Follow this road approximately 3.5 miles to
trailhead, which is a switchback to the right in the
road.
Setting: Large old-growth, valley bottom, riparian
zone, lake, ridgetop, one clearcut.
Parking and Facilities: There is roadside parking for
5+ vehicles.
Directions: On an easy grade to win Lakes, the trail
crosses the creek at the outlet of the lower lake,
then begins climbing, at times steeply, to the
junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. In places this
trail is very brushy, but for the most part it is in good
shape. A good loop may be made by using the
Pacific Crest and Catherine trails. Portions of the
trail to Twin Lakes could be used by snowshoers
and skiers.
Stirrup Lake Trail #1338
Length: 1.6 Miles
Gain: 480’
High: 3600’
Low: 3120’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 Exit 62, take FS Road
54. From 54, turn right onto FS Road 5480 and
after 2 miles, turn left onto 5483. After about 3.75
miles, turn left onto 5484 and drive about 0.25
miles to the roadside trailhead.
Setting: Large old-growth, plantations, creek valley,
ridgetop, clearcuts.
Parking and Facilities: There is roadside parking.
Directions: The trail begins in an old clearcut that is
growing back and climbs steadily through old-
growth timber and older logged areas, junctions
with trail 2000 Pacific Crest, then enters and travels
through a large private clearcut, again entering a
stand of old-growth timber near the edge of Stirrup
Lake. The trail follows around the south side of the
lake and in about 0.25 mile ends in Meadow Pass
at FS Road 5483-118.
Length: 1.6 Miles
Gain: 480’
High: 3600’
Low: 3120’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 Exit 62, take FS Road
54. From 54, turn right onto FS Road 5480 and
after 2 miles, turn left onto 5483. After about 3.75
miles, turn left onto 5484 and drive about 0.25
miles to the roadside trailhead.
Setting: Large old-growth, plantations, creek valley,
ridgetop, clearcuts.
Parking and Facilities: There is roadside parking.
Directions: The trail begins in an old clearcut that is
growing back and climbs steadily through old-
growth timber and older logged areas, junctions
with trail 2000 Pacific Crest, then enters and travels
through a large private clearcut, again entering a
stand of old-growth timber near the edge of Stirrup
Lake. The trail follows around the south side of the
lake and in about 0.25 mile ends in Meadow Pass
at FS Road 5483-118.
Mount Catherine Trail #1348
Length: 2.2 Miles
Gain: 1932’
High: 5052’
Low: 3120’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 take Exit 53 at
Snoqualmie ass or exit 54 at Hyak. The get onto FS
Road 9070 by entering the Summit East parking lot
at Hyak and taking a left turn out of the lot. The road
winds past the sewage treatment plant, follows the
west side of Keechelus Lake and goes up the Cold
Creek valley. The Mount Catherine Trail can be
accessed at the bottom from Twin Lakes Trail
#1303 or by driving further up FS Road 9070 to a
point near the ridgetop where the trail crosses the
road.
Setting: Old-growth, meadows, creek valley,
ridgetop, clearcut.
Directions: From its junction with Cold Creek Trail
#1303 (approximately one mile from FS Road
9070), the trail heads uphill and enters an old
clearcut. It continues up through the clearcut to its
junction with the road at about 0.7 mile. The trail
then goes up the road about 150 feet and takes a
right onto a steep logging road (it’s signed at this
point) and follows this road about 900 feet to a
switchback on a landing. The trail turns left from
the end of the landing and switchbacks uphill
through the clearcut. It soon enters the trees and
continues uphill to a ridgetop, which the trail follows
up to the summit of Mt. Catherine (1.5 miles from
the road junction). This trail was built in the 1930’s
by the Federal Aviation Administration for the
construction and maintenance of a navigational
light beacon on the mountaintop. There is little or
no water available along this trail.
Length: 2.2 Miles
Gain: 1932’
High: 5052’
Low: 3120’
Recommended Season: Summer and Fall
Open to: Hikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 take Exit 53 at
Snoqualmie ass or exit 54 at Hyak. The get onto FS
Road 9070 by entering the Summit East parking lot
at Hyak and taking a left turn out of the lot. The road
winds past the sewage treatment plant, follows the
west side of Keechelus Lake and goes up the Cold
Creek valley. The Mount Catherine Trail can be
accessed at the bottom from Twin Lakes Trail
#1303 or by driving further up FS Road 9070 to a
point near the ridgetop where the trail crosses the
road.
Setting: Old-growth, meadows, creek valley,
ridgetop, clearcut.
Directions: From its junction with Cold Creek Trail
#1303 (approximately one mile from FS Road
9070), the trail heads uphill and enters an old
clearcut. It continues up through the clearcut to its
junction with the road at about 0.7 mile. The trail
then goes up the road about 150 feet and takes a
right onto a steep logging road (it’s signed at this
point) and follows this road about 900 feet to a
switchback on a landing. The trail turns left from
the end of the landing and switchbacks uphill
through the clearcut. It soon enters the trees and
continues uphill to a ridgetop, which the trail follows
up to the summit of Mt. Catherine (1.5 miles from
the road junction). This trail was built in the 1930’s
by the Federal Aviation Administration for the
construction and maintenance of a navigational
light beacon on the mountaintop. There is little or
no water available along this trail.
John Wayne Trail #1382
Length: 12.1Miles
Gain: 190’
High: 2560’
Low: 2370’
Recommended Season: Summer, Fall, Winter
Open to: Hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 exit 54, travel south on
Keechelus Boat launch road about 1 miles to the
trailhead. This trail can also be accessed from
several exits between Hyak and South Cle Elum.
Consult maps for details.
Setting: Lake, valley bottom, old-growth trees,
clearcuts, historical railway.
Parking and Facilities: There is parking for 40
vehicles, toilets but no water.
Directions: This trail is the former Milwaukee
Railroad grade. It is about 12 feet wide or wider for
most of the length. The grade is quite flat with
gentle curves. It extends to the west through a two
mile tunnel and continues onto the west side of the
Cascades. Going east from Stampeded Pass
Road crossing, the Cle Elum Ranger District
portion of the trail ends near Lake Easton. From
there, it continues east to the Idaho boarder under
the management of Washington State Parks. For
more information on the rest of the trail, contact
Easton State Park at 509-656-2586 or Washington
State Parks at 360-902-8844.
Length: 12.1Miles
Gain: 190’
High: 2560’
Low: 2370’
Recommended Season: Summer, Fall, Winter
Open to: Hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers
Trailhead Access: From I-90 exit 54, travel south on
Keechelus Boat launch road about 1 miles to the
trailhead. This trail can also be accessed from
several exits between Hyak and South Cle Elum.
Consult maps for details.
Setting: Lake, valley bottom, old-growth trees,
clearcuts, historical railway.
Parking and Facilities: There is parking for 40
vehicles, toilets but no water.
Directions: This trail is the former Milwaukee
Railroad grade. It is about 12 feet wide or wider for
most of the length. The grade is quite flat with
gentle curves. It extends to the west through a two
mile tunnel and continues onto the west side of the
Cascades. Going east from Stampeded Pass
Road crossing, the Cle Elum Ranger District
portion of the trail ends near Lake Easton. From
there, it continues east to the Idaho boarder under
the management of Washington State Parks. For
more information on the rest of the trail, contact
Easton State Park at 509-656-2586 or Washington
State Parks at 360-902-8844.
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