Loch Katrine is on the western edge of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It's a tree-ringed, subalpine lake nestled in the end of the ridge between Sunday Creek and Philippa Creek, 1500' above the valley floor. The route used to start from the Sunday Lake Trail but Weyerhaueser gave up trying to keep a bridge over Sunday Creek and cut a new connecting road across the end of the ridge from Philippa Creek.(Note: the 1997 Green Trails map is the only map that shows this section of road.It is Too new to show on the USGS maps or on older Green Trails maps).From the parking area walk the gated road 0.5 miles, cross the bridge over Philippa Creek and, shortly, go left at a Y. At 1.6 miles intersect the old road from Sunday Creek and continue right, uphill. A switchback at 2.0 miles is the closest approach to Katrine Creek, a continuous cataract from lake to valley. It's a frustratingly nice stream: you know the waterfalls are there but it's difficult to see anything but bits and pieces of them, even with scrambling.
Loch Katrine is reached at 3.6 miles, 2900'. A rude path leads 100' to the shore where a huge cedar lends shelter if you need it; a good spot to have lunch. Loch Katrine is a pretty lake but not a very "useful" one: there's too much debris on the bottom for wading or swimming and there are no fish.
The nicest spot on the shore is at the outlet of the lake. It's a bit of trouble to get there, but worth the effort. Near the outlet creek, you will find floating logs that make a fine jumping off point for the refreshing swim to the lake's picturesque island.
If you feel like you still need more exercise, beyond Loch Katrine the road continues to switchback, then squiggle, up the nose of the ridge, climbing another 1200' in 1.5 miles before ending at a logging landing and a knife-edge ridge. Views are good but limited.
The best thing about this hike is the tread; no roots and rocks, no mud, no water on the trail, no blowdowns, no streams to ford - also no ORVs and no people! There is one thing: this is a very beary area.
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