Melakwa Lake

Love a lake swim to beat the summer heat? This dayhike or backpacking trip offers a great lakeside destination just off of I-90.

The Denny Creek Trail (#1410) is widely known for its waterfalls and natural creek-side waterslide, but beyond the waterfalls you'll find the shores of deep blue Melakwa Lake.

Hike the Denny Creek trail under I-90 and 1.3 miles to the first attraction: the waterslide. A natural smooth rock feature, the waterslide is where most families stop for their weekend adventure. Enjoy the cool waters of Denny Creek before continuing on your adventure. At 1.4 and 2 miles, you'll enjoy more water features in the form of two waterfalls: Keekwulee and Snowshoe, respectively. Make sure to take your camera and get some snapshots of these beautiful natural features.

From here the trek steepens, switchbacking across rocky avalanche chutes and up to forested Hemlock Pass (3.5 miles). From here it?s a short drop (a mile in length) to Melakwa Lake. Put up your feet or take a dip in the scenic lake with Chair and Kaleetan Peaks towering above.

Trail Notes: The trail (#1011) to Melakwa Lake is 9 miles round-trip with a cumulative elevation gain of 2300 feet. Make sure to begin your hike early as the parking lot fills quickly, especially on the weekends. Check out the Mt. Baker-Snoqulamie National Forest website for current trail conditions. A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the trailhead parking lot.