Melakwa Lake

I'm mostly writing this trip report because on the way in, we saw two different WTA work parties, cutting brush and working on the trail. It looked like they were trying to cut routes for spring run-off so it would run beside, rather than through, the tread. Way to go, WTA volunteers! Thank you for your effort to keep the trails in good shape!

We had a great hike up to Melakwa Lake on a hot day. The trailhead, per descriptions and reports, was busy, and there were indeed crowds up to the falls at Denny Creek. Above the falls, it was still pretty busy, and there were more than a dozen people at the lake itself. We lunched and swam (OK, just dipped in and out -- it's cold!), enjoying the lack of bugs on this warm August day. On the way back out, we saw maybe three dozen people playing in Denny Creek. What a beautiful day to be in the woods.

Some wildflowers -- pearly everlasting, columbine, tall bluebells, penstamon, sitka valerian, wild strawberry, a few queen's cup and even one lone, lingering tiger lily.