Denny Creek, Melakwa Lake & Snow Lake — Saturday, Jun. 15, 2013

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

Summary: Parked at Alpental and did the Denny Creek - Melakwa Lake - Melakwa Pass - Snow Lake - Alpental loop. A few miles off trail and on snow. Long version: Alpental to Melakwa Lake: Parked at Alpental and ran down the road (at first) towards Denny Creek, then picked up the trail and followed that to the Denny Creek trailhead. The bridge is out on the second crossing of Denny Creek, as it has been every time I have been there in the last few years. Easy to cross on a logjam, though. Snow starts just before the single log bridge over Denny Creek, with snow on and off until the last 1/4 mile before the pass. Then snow cover becomes 100%. Just head straight up to the ridge and look for the trail. It was easy to find. The 0.4 miles to the lake the trail is almost flat and easy to find, but still 3/4 snow covered. The lake is over 95% snow covered. Melakwa Lake to Snow Lake: Follow clockwise around Melakwa Lake, then cross the creek between the lower and upper lake. This seems to be the easiest route, though it is very open and you can pretty much go anywhere. Head towards Melakwa Pass, with Kaleetan to your left. You will be 100% on snow at this time of the year. Awesome view from the top of the pass. Picture 1 is taken from the top of the pass. The descend is pretty steep, and ice axe would be advisable if the snow is icy. (It is a NE facing slope, so the ascent could be soft, but the descent could be icy under certain conditions) It is a 45 degree slope at the beginning. In soft snow no traction devices are needed. Descend to the lake and RESIST THE URGE TO FOLLOW THE OUTFLOW TOWARDS NOW LAKE!!!! This will lead you over a cliff and a 15 ft waterfall. Instead continue to go around the little lake counter clockwise until you reach a small saddle on the opposite side of the lake from Melakwa Pass. From there on it is very intuitive where to go as long as you stay to the right as you descend and head back towards the outflow of the little lake, to below the waterfall. This path easy to see in the second picture. Once you get to Snow lake just somehow make your way clockwise around the lake until you get to the outflow od snow lake. Cross the big log and continue clockwise around the lake until you get to the snow Lake trail. Snow Lake to Alpental: Climb out of the snow lake basin, at this time of the year still under 100% snow. Once you get to the top you will likely encounter hikers who came up from Alpental. There was still some snow left on the trail as you descent towards Alpental, but easy to follow boot tracks. Trail is in generally good shape. Total time: about 5 hours Total run / walk time: about 3:30h Shoes: trail running shoes with aggressive tread, but no traction devices. Ice axe, ski / tracking poles: No gaters: yes, small ones. Companion: my dog Fellow hikers / climbers with the "you are nuts to attempt this loop without ice axe and just running shoes" look on their face: Two. Word of caution: I am probably in the top 1% of hikers / runners when it comes to running on snow in just running shoes. That said, as long as it is not icy, this loop is totally doable in running shoes.