My friend PTGal and I went to Malakwa Lake today. We started out with the idea of Commonwealth Basin, but we always leave the destination a bit up in the air, in case whimsy takes us. And it did. I am so glad we did this hike! Brand new to me, but not to PTG. Sheer beauty. And a total elevation gain of 2480 in 9.0 miles. After the pics, see the WA Trails report regarding the hike.

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Under I-90:




Denny Creek natural waterslide area (there are better slides up the creek):




Upper falls on Denny Creek. Probably has a name. Keekwulee, maybe?




Upvalley, toward the peak on the left, is where we were headed:




Heading up:




Creekside respite:




In the basin, before the last "up":




First sighting of Malakwa Lake:




Inlet of lower lake:




Upper Malakwa Lake, just a half mile beyond the main lake:




Looking UP from Upper Malakwa Lake at Chair Peak:




You can't take me anywhere:




Cool rocks:

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Washington Trails Association hike description:

Distance: 9 mi r/t
Time: 6h r/t
Elevation Gain in: 2380 ft
Elevation Gain out: 100 ft
Trailhead Elevation: 2280 ft
Maximum Elevation: 4660 ft

Denny Creek begins with the wide, gentle, well-maintained grade of a popular and heavily used trail. Novice hikers and small children will find the walking easy and pleasant up to the Denny Creek crossing at 1 mile. This is the destination for many who wish to picnic or play in the natural water-slides of the creek.

After crossing the creek on a new log bridge, the trail climbs through forest and open hillsides. It becomes rougher and rockier as you climb towards Keekwulee Falls (1½ miles). At 2 miles the trail provides relief from the switchbacks as it flattens out briefly, before climbing again up to Hemlock Pass (4 miles). The pass is the high point of the trail. From here it slowly descends another ½ miles to the outlet of lower Melakawa Lake.

From the south end of Melakwa Lake look north to Melakwa Pass framed by Kaleetan Peak on the left and Chair Peak on the right -- two favorites among Northwest peak-baggers. For more adventures follow the trail along the western edge of the lower lake and climb to the smaller, Upper Melakwa Lake or pick your way through rocks and snow for another mile to Melakwa Pass (5400'). From here look down into little Chair Peak Lake and the drainage that fills popular Snow Lake just on the other side of Chair Peak.