Melakwa Lake — Wednesday, Jul. 29, 2026

Bottom Line:

Thanks to "Carina" for the medical assistance after I poked my eye on some deadwood near upper Keekulee Falls! (if you are out there, I have a nice shiner this morning) This trail also had quite a few "root hooks" that kept catching my feet - only face planted (and re-sprained my wrist) once! Maybe I was just having one of those days. The trail is rough, especially the set of switchbacks up to Hemlock Pass after the false summit above Keekulee Falls, with the trail resembling a bouldery dry creek bed. All the elevation is gained in two sections of switchbacks as you head up the valley to the summit. From the summit, it is downhill to Lake Melakwa, but save some gas for the return. The lake is beautiful and there were lots of swimmers. Be sure to check out the tarn/upper lake - very photogenic, and I did not see anyone else there.

Stats:

• Distance: 12-3/4 miles
• Vertical: 2880 ft
• Duration: ~6 hours
• Road/Parking: Very large newish lot at the Franklin Falls Trailhead with ample capacity for a mid-week hike. National Forest Pass required (pay station available). Toilets. 
• Weather: Sunny and very warm on the exposed parts of the trail. 70Fs, light breeze, very few bugs, cloudy periods today late afternoon. It was a HOT hike - I was drenched from head to toe when I reached Hemlock Pass. Cooler wind at elevation was definitely refreshing. Note that you will want a morning or mid-day start, as take and trail end up in the shade in the late afternoon.
• Flowers: Mainly pearly everlasting, fireweed, corn lily and lots of overgrowth ferns crowding the trail at times. No really notable for flowers right now, but there was some color in spots. Fall color in the vine maples (yikes... I know).
• Water: There is plenty of water for filtering throughout the trail, but a few longer switchback stretches where you will want to have the ability to carry water, especially on a hot day. Some of the seasonable streams have run dry. You follow Denny Creek up to the pass, crossing the creek twice. NOTE: Lower Denny Creek was full of people and pets, so would only filter well upstream :) The natural waterslide area has pretty low water so you might need to search for a slide.
• Trail: The trail is in good condition with easy creek crossings. It is dry and dusty, and VERY rocky, especially the final set of switchbacks up to Hemlock Pass. Busy for this trail, but not "Snow Lake" busy. Initially you hear I90, and hike under an overpass, but (unlike say Granite Mt) the noise quickly fades as you ascend. There was a "Mountains to Sound" work crew (I honestly did not know they existed and at first asked, "WTA?") working the lower part of those switchbacks - thank you! This is a trail of water - creeks, brooks, waterfalls and lakes. Worth exploring a bit as there are some beautiful hidden falls and swimming pools. The ascent is a bit of grunt, as most of the vertical comes in two sections and the trail is exposed and hot at times. The final downhill from the pass to the lake comes as a relief. At the lake, many folks hang out at the outlet where the trail first meets the lake. Take the trail on the left-hand side of the lake to a great swimming peninsula on the main lake, and then farther still up to the smaller lake/tarn beyond (stunningly beautiful water). I had planned to hike the scree slope up to Melakwa Pass to see the view dowm to Chair and Snow Lakes, but with my clumsiness early in the hike, decided not to push it! :) Pika ALL OVER this trail - their "Get off my lawn" screeching my constant companion. NOTE: The falls and pool in pic #2 are accessible from the only visible side trail on a switchback corner as you pass above Keekulee Falls.
• Takeaway: One of the more beautiful destinations on the immediate I90 Snoqualmie Pass corridor with stunning lakes, waterfalls and swimming opportunities. The hike would be easy with a flat soft trail but is challenging mainly due to the rough condition of the trail. I almost always have my "10 Essentials", including my medical kit, but did not yesterday as I was trying to stay light knowing it was going to be hot, and already weighed down by camera gear. A little embarrassed but very grateful to rely on other hikers - WA hikers are the best :)

Higher resolution pics are available at the Instagram link below. YouTube short attached as well.

More Information on this Trip Report

• https://www.instagram.com/wta_alpinewanderer/