I have hiked the Denny Creek trail many times, always at least as far as Keekwulee Falls and sometimes to Melakwa Lake. On this occasion, I hiked with my father, age 78, currently visiting from Wisconsin. He's in excellent shape - strong and agile - for a man his age but Melakwa Lake would be a bit too much.
Anyway, I heard from a friend of a friend who worked on this summer's Denny Creek trail rehabilitation project that the work had ended and the trail reopened in advance of its originally scheduled October timeline.
On this late September good-weather (except for the smoke) Monday morning at about 10:15 AM, there were only about 5 cars parked in the huge trailhead lot. The trail was indeed open and it was delightful as always. The only downside was it was a smoky day, and the smoke got worse as the day went on. So, middle-and-distant views were obscured and the sky was gray, but near views were nice as always.
The trail is in good condition. No blocking trees, no mud. First timers may, as always, find it difficult to locate the continuation of the trail after the "waterslide", but there is a sign so just take the time to find it.
The flow at Keekwulee Falls is quite low this time of year. But, it is spectacular nonetheless. And a benefit of the low flow is that it enables extensive exploring of the various tiers and ledges around the falls . . . places that would be either underwater or difficult to access during periods of heavier flow.
I suppose one criticism I would have of this trail is that the only way down to Keekwulee falls is a steep, unsigned, semi-perilous (especially for 78-year olds like my dad) "casual trail". I'd like to see a defined, safer, "official" trail spur leading down to the spectacular falls, and maybe a little infrastructure around the falls like some viewing platforms.
Trail timing - for me (a fairly fit guy in my mid 50s) and dad (an amazingly fit 78-year old):
Start at trailhead parking: 10:25 AM
Arrival at "waterslide": 11:09 AM
Arrival at Keekwulee Falls viewpoint: 11:42 AM
Arrival at Keekwulee Falls: 11:54 AM
Depart falls: 12:30 PM
Return to car: 2:07 PM
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