Bottom Line:
Another great alpine lake for paddling in a packraft with stunningly clear water, underwater cliffs and rock formations, and mesmerizing water color; outstanding! (see video) For the king of Alpine Lakes paddles, see the 7/25 trip report to Snow Lake
Stats:
- Distance: 12.2 miles
- Duration: 5-1/4 hours
- Vertical: 2930 ft
- Weather: sunny, warm, 80s, slight breeze on lake
- Trail: Excellent condition; one down tree that is easy to pass; a couple muddy spots, and areas where shallow water runs over the trail; a couple creek crossings requiring rock-hopping or log-balancing (including Denny Creek waterslide area); lots of water on the trail so next time I would carry less and use a purifier; trail is one of the rockier ones on I90 with the usual pattern of climbing to a ridge saddle (Hemlock Pass), but this sly trail has a false summit, with two sets of steep and tight switchbacks separated by a flatter section of trail; trail along hiker's left side of Lake Melakwa takes one to STUNNING Little Lake Melakwa; some trail-side snow patches and small snow fields at the upper lake; the trail from the saddle to the lake is definitely easier than I remember (usually I would come early season and wade through mud and snow, but the trail is clear); one descends from the saddle to the lake over ~1 mile so leave a little gas in the tank for the return; the Denny Creek slide area was as busy as one might expect, but on the way down, after a very rocky trail, you will appreciate the easier trail from the Denny Creek back to the trailhead :)
- Flora/Fauna: With the late spring, flowers are still of the early variety; starts with a forest walk with beautiful devil's club and sword ferns up to Denny's Creek; bleeding hearts here and as you emerge into the boulder fields, and then, most notably lots of columbine farther up; heather near the lakes; Pika in the boulder fields on the 2nd set of switchbacks (sounding their usual alarms); many butterflies, including some that photobombed my video, and moquitos, although the latter not biting for whatever reason (esp. when I first got on the lake with my admittedly too brightly colored raft)
- Takeaway: First time taking my packraft here, and while the lake is on the small size, the paddling is outstanding with crystal clear water, cliff faces that descend underwater, and giant granite outcroppings just below the surface of the water; there is actually a granite shelf that rises up in the middle of the lake - I was tempted to get out of my boat and see if it was shallow enough to stand despite how far away from the shore it is; my video shows the water surface with a combination of reflections from above, and submerged rock formations below the water, forming a kaleidoscope of color :)
I decided to take advantage of the warm day by taking along my packraft and getting on the lake. Like my Lake Serene backraft (here), this gives one a whole new perspective on our beautiful PNW alpine lakes :)
There is parking for ~60 cars at the trailhead, with some additional spots on the road (most of which is marked "no parking"). There were a couple of spots when I arrived; lots of families heading up to the Denny Creek waterslide. The trail is well-signed, although more than one group asked me how to get to the Denny Creek trailhead from the parking (follow the trail right beside the map board at the end of the parking lot); the old Denny Creek trailhead parking lot is now decommissioned and pedestrian only.
One passes a number of different waterfalls on the ascent, including Keekwulee Falls early on (see video). The lake basin is beautiful, surrounding by craggy peaks (e.g. Kaleetan, Chair). I intended to hike farther than the lakes, but a hike to the saddle above Chair Lake would need to wait for another day, as my gear was on the heavy side, and I am a wee bit tired of hiking in snow at this point :)
PS. Has anyone else noticed the great flower show on I90 this year up to the pass? All the rain? Even with some of the invasive species mixed in, it has been really pretty. They are fading now but caught a bit on Exit 47 at the end of the attached video.
PSS. People on the trail as always asking about my packraft; not that I want crowded lakes but shared a link below to Alpacka. These rafts are top notch and very light.
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