Melakwa Lake

Started out in partial sun with a gaggle of other hikers including a large group of kids bound to the Denny Creek 'slide' about a mile up the trail. This first mile is well trodden, mostly soft underfoot and well maintained. The bridge over Denny Creek is out but a set of logs makes crossing possible without danger (but with care). Beyond this zoo the trail wanders up to Melakwa Falls, still with a lot of water and lovely as forest flowers (lovely clintonia, star false solomon seal and bunchberry) give way to penstemon, racemose false solomon seal and elderberry in profuse bloom. The trail is narrow in parts here. Beyond the falls and slide areas there are a dozen switchbacks along a ravine ending in a high falls not totally visible and crosses the creek again. Above this going is steeper. There is some water running on parts of the trail. The flowers are fine indeed and there are many gardens to see and smell. Near the pass there are some snow patches, easily navigable and fading fast. At the pass there are several big blowdowns sorely in need of clearing. The lake is mostly snow free and with some snow around it. Flowers here are incredibly late, but coming. We saw some bear grass, the signature flower of this lake. The day was a mix of sun and cloud. Melakwa lake has great reflections of the surrounding mountains. Flowers should be at a peak in a couple of weeks. For now I'd suggest turning around at the pass because flowers are much better on the Denny Creek side. Some nut swam in the lake. I usually do but not with ice still floating in it.