Melakwa Lake, Dark Meadows, Denny Creek, Ira Spring Trail - Mason Lake & Melakwa - Pratt Lake Traverse — Friday, Jul. 23, 2004

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

We left a car at Mason Lk road at TH of the Ira Spring Trail, then drove to Denny Creek TH for a fairly early start on a record-high temp day. Hiked to beautiful Melakwa Lake on decent trail conditions, saw a few other hikers and groups camped at the Lake. With it hot already at 10 AM, we could not resist a swim in the cold clear lake. Then on to Lower Tuscohatchie Lk for a short break and and on to Pratt Lk. This trail #1011 is somewhat overgrown with several blow downs and a clogged culvert and listing short bridge at Tuscohatchie Lk. Bugs coming out, including few man-eating deer flies. Nice views of Chair Peak and down the Pratt River drainage. Went south and up on #1007, took a right at #1009, much better maintained, and next quick swimming stop was Rainbow Lake. Shallower, warmer water felt great. Then on to Mason Lake for some real swimming across the lake, with others out in the water and sunbathing on the rocks by campsites. What a place to be when it's 93 in Seattle! Finally 3.4 mi down the new and improved Ira Spring Trail, with a stop to admire the bronze plaque at the junction with Bandera climbers trail and admired the 20' of great tread made by one of our party. Hot exposed switchbacks on the way down, with one last stop to get wet in a little waterfall in the woods. This was 15 miles on trial in 7 hours with some jogging and stops.