Denny Creek, Melakwa Lake — Friday, Jul. 18, 2025

Nice little hike and very quiet on a Friday morning.

My dog and I got to the trailhead around 8:30 a.m. and there were about 10 other cars there. The hike up was quick and overall very mellow, with just two sections of switchbacks. I passed probably 2-3 groups headed down after backpacking the night before and there were a few more groups already at the lakes by the time I arrived a little before 11.

The trail got exponentially busier on my way out after the Denny Creek crossing. Lots of families and folks getting in the water (plus a ton of SAR folks responding to a call!). The last mile out was pretty slow going from stepping aside for so many incoming hikers. I imagine this stretch can get a bit unwieldy on a hot weekend.

Highlight: cute marmot sunning on the rocks south of Hemlock Pass.

Lowlight: the surface poop someone left about 5ft from the upper Melakwa outflow. It was “covered” with a rock but otherwise out in the open on a little trail directly next to the water. Yuck.