Trail Length: The round-trip from the Denny Creek trail head to the first lake is roughly 10 miles, a little longer than the report here.
Trail Conditions: The first 2 1/2 miles of trail are very well-kept and in great condition. About 1.5 miles after crossing Denny Creek and getting onto the "main trail," just before the second crossing of Denny Creek, there was a stream to cross that was very icy for about 15 yards. It's not difficult to cross, but care is needed. This was the only snow/ice on the trail. Just after the second Denny Creek crossing, there was a rather dilapidated wood walkway with a handful of very weak spots. From that point to the top, the trail alternated between extremely rocky (some pretty rough talus fields) and quite muddy and wet.
Overall, the hike was pleasant and relatively quiet (we saw only a few other hiking groups during the day). It was foggy (though the views of the waterfall were still spectacular) and rained off-and-on, making rain gear a "must." Once at the first lake, the short and easy rocky scramble along the shore to the left to the second lake (Upper Melakwa) was well-worth the effort.
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