Melakwa Pass, Denny Creek, Melakwa Lake
Aug 04, 2012
by
Seth
—
last modified
Aug 05, 2012 07:46 PM
- Type of Outing
- Overnight
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Melakwa Pass
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Denny Creek
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area
- Agency: Snoqualmie Ranger District (425) 888-1421
- Trails: Denny Creek to Melakwa Lake (#1014)
- Avg Rating: 3.89
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Melakwa Lake
- Region: Snoqualmie Pass -- Snoqualmie Pass
- Agency: Mount Baker -Snoqualmie National Forest, Snoqualmie Ranger District, North Bend office
- Trails: Melakwa Lake (#1011)
- Avg Rating: 3.96
- Why You Should Go Now
- Wildflowers blooming
- Be Aware Of
- Blowdowns
Melakwa Lake in the morning - Photo (c) Seth Yates
We had an absolutely amazing time at Melakwa Lake. We got an early start and left Seattle at 7am. We got on the trail at 8:45 after a pit stop for gas and to renew our NW forest pass in North Bend.
The temp heated up by the time we got to the lake (took us 2 hrs and 15 mins) and the last mile or so was a pretty decent elevation gain. We jumped in Melakwa when we got there, and it was refreshing, but freezing. We couldn't stay in for more than 15 seconds or so. The ranger up there told us the lake just completely melted about 2 weeks prior.
The bugs were not bad AT ALL. No one in our group put on any bug repellent. The lakes named after those pesky mosquitoes, definitely did not live up to it's name :) Thank goodness. A light rain jacket, and rain pants were enough to keep the bugs away.
Wildflowers were blooming, and the trail up to the Lakes were in decent condition. There were a few downed logs, but nothing that's too difficult to pass over/around (even with big packs). There was no snow on the trail, and Melakwa lakes were completely melted out with a few very tiny snow patches along a few of the banks.
We took an afternoon trip up Melakwa Pass, and got an amazing view of Chair Peak Lake, and Glacier Peak off in the distance. We started by sticking to the snow melt stream on the way up. Once the trees got heavy, we stuck to the snow fields on the right. About 1/2 way up, we found a steep path along the left hand side of the valley. For the final leg, we trekked across the snowfield, then caught a steep, but well established trail in the trees the last few hundred yards. The view from the top definitely took our breath away!
We glisaded down the entire way, and made it down in record time :) We were able to snow slide with our boots and stay in control the whole way down without an ice axe.
I'd recommend the Melakwa lakes to anyone especially if you leave early. On our way down, we saw over 100 people at the Denny Creek Waterslide and the parking lot was packed down the road to the campground by noon! Get to the trailhead early, and you should have a spot.
The temp heated up by the time we got to the lake (took us 2 hrs and 15 mins) and the last mile or so was a pretty decent elevation gain. We jumped in Melakwa when we got there, and it was refreshing, but freezing. We couldn't stay in for more than 15 seconds or so. The ranger up there told us the lake just completely melted about 2 weeks prior.
The bugs were not bad AT ALL. No one in our group put on any bug repellent. The lakes named after those pesky mosquitoes, definitely did not live up to it's name :) Thank goodness. A light rain jacket, and rain pants were enough to keep the bugs away.
Wildflowers were blooming, and the trail up to the Lakes were in decent condition. There were a few downed logs, but nothing that's too difficult to pass over/around (even with big packs). There was no snow on the trail, and Melakwa lakes were completely melted out with a few very tiny snow patches along a few of the banks.
We took an afternoon trip up Melakwa Pass, and got an amazing view of Chair Peak Lake, and Glacier Peak off in the distance. We started by sticking to the snow melt stream on the way up. Once the trees got heavy, we stuck to the snow fields on the right. About 1/2 way up, we found a steep path along the left hand side of the valley. For the final leg, we trekked across the snowfield, then caught a steep, but well established trail in the trees the last few hundred yards. The view from the top definitely took our breath away!
We glisaded down the entire way, and made it down in record time :) We were able to snow slide with our boots and stay in control the whole way down without an ice axe.
I'd recommend the Melakwa lakes to anyone especially if you leave early. On our way down, we saw over 100 people at the Denny Creek Waterslide and the parking lot was packed down the road to the campground by noon! Get to the trailhead early, and you should have a spot.
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The snowfield we glisaded down during our side trip at the top of Melakwa Pass - Photo (c) Seth Yates
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Melakwa Pass view from our campsite at Melakwa Lake - Photo (c) Tana Yates
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Heather blooming right by Melakwa - Photo (c) Seth Yates
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