Melakwa Lakes

Drove up to the Denny Creek Trailhead near Snoqualmie Pass for a fall hike to Melakwa Lakes, 8.5 miles round trip with 2,500 ft elevation gain.
The trail crosses a bridge over Denny Creek.















The first part of the trail is in a forest

About a mile up the trail, it crosses Denny Creek at a large rocky area.












The creek was running low, so we had no trouble crossing the water.

The trail goes through several open talus fields. We saw a bit of color in the open areas.

Another 0.25 miles we came to views of Keekwulee Falls and Denny Mountain.

















The trail continues up the valley

As the trail starts climbing more steeply towards Hemlock Pass, we had a view of Snowshoe Falls, there wasn't much water in it.

Reach Hemlock Pass at 3.8 miles from the trailhead. Hemlock Pass is forested. Melakwa Lake is another 0.4 miles with 150 ft descent.

First view of Melakwa Lake

Pano of Melakwa Lake and Bryant Peak

0.2 miles along the rocky left side of Melakwa Lake leads to Upper Melakwa Lake

View of Upper Melakwa Lake and Kaleetan Peak from the creek between the two lakes

more views of Upper Melakwa Lake

Heading back down the creek between the two Melakwa Lakes

more views of Melakwa Lake

cool boulders along Melakwa Lake

There were lots of fallen leaves, the fall foliage is fading.

But the remaining foliage was lit up in the afternoon sun

another view of Keekwulee Falls on the hike down the trail

Snow and Gem Lakes

 Headed up to Snoqualmie Pass to hike up to Snow and Gem Lakes. 10 miles round trip with 2,200 ft overall gain.
The first 1.5 miles in a gradual gain up a valley. There was some nice fall foliage along the trail.

 Watched the sun light up the mountains at the end of the valley

 The trail then climbs steeply up a series of switchbacks until it crosses the headwall at the end of the valley. Nice views of local peaks

 The trail then descends down to Snow Lake. There were some icy sections on the trail down to the lake.












At Snow Lake, the main trail crosses a small pond via some rocks, and goes around the north side of the lake.

Looking down on the log crossing the outlet of the lake.

It was very windy at the outlet today.

Enjoyed the fall foliage as the trail climbs up to the ridge at the west end of Snow Lake.

 View looking eastward to other peaks at Snoqualmie Pass area

 Found some pretty ponds along the trail

 Another pond, Snow Lake far below

 more fall foliage

 Enjoyed the different views as this trail meanders up the ridge.

 Snow Lake below

partially frozen pond

 Gem Lake with Wright Mountain

 Gem Lake, I had the lake to myself as I had a lunch break here.

 Better lighting as I hiked back down the trail.
View of Snow Lake as I came down the scree field.

 creek winding through the snow

 took my time enjoying the fall colors

 back at the log crossing over the outlet at Snow Lake, a bit less windy.

looking down the outlet from the log crossing
















Snow Lake in the afternoon

 Loved the turquoise color seen in the afternoon

 View of Snow Lake as I returned over the ridge to head back to the trailhead.

There are several places where streams flow over the trail in the valley

The afternoon sun lit up the fall foliage

Waterfall near the beginning of the trail.