About Lake Catherine
On the map, Lake Catherine appears to belong to the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park at an elevation of 10,590 feet on the west side of the Continental Divide. However, that can be a bit misleading. Although it falls within the Wild Basin region, the lake sits west of Mount Alice, making an approach from the East Inlet Trailhead a much more practical option than hiking from Wild Basin.
Lake Catherine is an unofficially named lake and one of the park's most remote destinations. The hike from the East Inlet Trailhead is approximately 7.0 miles one way, but reaching the lake requires leaving the maintained trail and navigating several miles of difficult bushwhacking. Trip reports are scarce, suggesting that very few hikers make it all the way to the lake.
For those who do attempt it, this is firmly in the Hard category for this guide. The combination of a long approach, off-trail travel, and challenging terrain makes Lake Catherine a destination best suited for experienced backcountry hikers who are comfortable with route-finding and wilderness navigation.
