Forum Index > Pacific NW History > Mt Catherine Air beacon
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
oldwild
Member
Member


Joined: 02 Sep 2020
Posts: 44 | TRs | Pics
Location: snoqualmie
oldwild
Member
PostMon Jan 04, 2021 4:10 pm 
Hi. There used to be an aircraft beacon on Mt Catherine near Snoqualmie pass. I guess there is still some equipment up there. Does anyone know the history of it like how did they get power to the site or when it was operational?

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Mike Collins
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Dec 2001
Posts: 3086 | TRs | Pics
Mike Collins
Member
PostFri Jan 08, 2021 10:48 am 
It was 20 years ago when I climbed Catherine and did see some equipment/wires along with a rusting stove up there. Whoever staffed that beacon if still alive is 100 years old now. But they did keep records which might be stored at the National Archives at Sand Point. They are closed now due to COVID and their on-line search option is giving me trouble this morning. When they do open up the reference librarians there are helpful. But here is a link to start your own search. https://www.archives.gov/research/catalog

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Dick B
Member
Member


Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Posts: 336 | TRs | Pics
Location: Redmond, Or
Dick B
Member
PostFri Jan 08, 2021 8:42 pm 
Back in the early days of aviation the beacons were used as night time navigational aids for aircraft flying from point A to B. Obviously they were only effective when the weather was clear and they could be seen. When electronics came out the beacons were replaced by by ADF and VOR systems in light aircraft. These systems allowed small planes to fly under instrument flight rules ( in the clouds). Today I'm sure GPS has taken over most navigational duties. I haven't flown for years, so I don't know what the nav aid of choice is today. It would be interesting to know where these beacons were located, and I don't have a clue how they were powered.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Seventy2002
Member
Member


Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 512 | TRs | Pics
Seventy2002
Member
PostSat Jan 09, 2021 3:45 am 
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
cdestroyer
Member
Member


Joined: 14 Sep 2015
Posts: 1249 | TRs | Pics
Location: montana
cdestroyer
Member
PostSat Jan 09, 2021 3:13 pm 
an air beacon is still active on macdonald pass between missoula and helena montana

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
RodF
Member
Member


Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Posts: 2593 | TRs | Pics
Location: Sequim WA
RodF
Member
PostSun Jan 10, 2021 12:04 pm 
Almost half the airway beacons installed in 1927-31 were lit by acetylene. Electrical service was not available in most rural locations. The "Mt. Catherine" site may have been at the end of a logging road near the ridge, well below the summit?

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Dusty Trale
Member
Member


Joined: 24 Nov 2014
Posts: 49 | TRs | Pics
Location: East of Redmond
Dusty Trale
Member
PostMon Jan 11, 2021 12:09 pm 
I read on the Cle Elum Ranger District website that the Mt. Catherine trail was built in the 1930's for the construction and maintenance of a navigation light beacon. The Forest Service said the trail was built by the (FAA) Federal Aviation Administration. But the FAA was not created until 1958. An Aeronautics Branch of the Commerce Dept. was started in 1926 and became the (CAA) Civil Aeronautics Authority in 1938. Later on is was renamed the Civil Aeronautics Administration. My dad worked for the CAA/FAA from 1945 to 1972. Part of the lower section of the Mt. Catherine Trail is still there from when it was first built. The part from the junction with the Cold Creek Trail near Twin Lakes going up to the FS Road 9070 at the present day trailhead for the 1.2 mile hike to the summit. The original trail probably began down by Hyak in the 1930's.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
cdestroyer
Member
Member


Joined: 14 Sep 2015
Posts: 1249 | TRs | Pics
Location: montana
cdestroyer
Member
PostTue Jan 12, 2021 8:13 am 
here is more info on the air beacons in montana https://www.mdt.mt.gov/aviation/beacons.shtml

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Pacific NW History > Mt Catherine Air beacon
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum