Update on 9-11-25:
The Denny Creek closure does not appear on the USFS website under "alerts" any more and I have heard that the contractor finished the work on the trail for the season.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/mbs/alerts
So Denny Creek _should_ be open again. Please comment here if you find the trail is still closed.
Original post from Aug. 10th"
Denny Creek trail is closed until October 15th for trail construction. The heavy work is being done by a contractor (though I believe WTA will eventually also have some work parties).
We saw a crew show up with 2 trucks and 6 people at the trailhead on Sunday morning at 7:45am, just as we were reading the trail closure notice and contemplating a Plan B for climbing Kaleetan - we ended up going in via Snow & Gem Lake and Melakwa Pass, and summited via White Ledges route.)
PNW-vera already posted about it, but didn't tag Melakwa-Pratt Lake traverse and Bryant Peak.
Personally I like the rugged nature of the Denny Creek trail and hope they don't turn it into too smooth of a trail.
Comments
PNW-vera on Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Kaleetan Peak, Bryant Peak
thanks for the addtional tags, btw how many miles is your plan B from snow lake and gem lake.
Posted by:
PNW-vera on Aug 16, 2025 02:27 PM
Bobman on Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Kaleetan Peak, Bryant Peak
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for this!
Man, you REALLY wanted to tag Kaleetan. I, too, am curious about your plan B route.
I'll look into it, though I may just try someplace else that I'm already familiar with this time....
Posted by:
Bobman on Sep 11, 2025 04:14 PM
- Uli on Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Kaleetan Peak, Bryant Peak
I have been up Kaleetan many times, but my friend hadn't. She didn't mind the extra miles, and didn't think the White Ledges route was too challenging. So it was a good plan B.
Posted by:
- Uli on Sep 12, 2025 10:22 PM
mschnei4 on Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Kaleetan Peak, Bryant Peak
Thank you for the report. Can anyone verify if Melakwa Lake is accessible now via Denny Creek? I’ve tried calling multiple ranger stations and can’t reach anyone. Thank you!
Posted by:
mschnei4 on Sep 12, 2025 10:58 AM
- Uli on Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Kaleetan Peak, Bryant Peak
Since the closure WAS posted at the website and now it's not I think it is open again. I'm 95% sure, but would like someone confirm that the closure signs are gone from the trailhead.
Posted by:
- Uli on Sep 12, 2025 10:24 PM
Preacherbear on Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Kaleetan Peak, Bryant Peak
The North Bend ranger station confirmed today that the trail is open all the way to Melakwa Lake. However, there is a red flag warning today (9/16) due to 40 mph winds and very thick smoke.
Posted by:
Preacherbear on Sep 16, 2025 09:18 AM
- Uli on Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse, Melakwa Lake, Denny Creek, Kaleetan Peak, Bryant Peak
Thank you for confirming!
Posted by:
- Uli on Sep 16, 2025 09:34 PM