Melakwa Lake

This is a moderately-used trail connecting the Pratt Lake with Melakwa Lake within Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Leaving Pratt Lake, traverse through forest and open slopes with great views 10 miles down the Pratt River Valley to the Middle Fork River. (Look for the transition from second growth forest to uncut forest in the valley below. That’s as far as the North Bend Timber Company was able to drag trees down to the 1930s-era railroad line below.) Pass by the north shore of Lower Tuscohatchie Lake to the junction of the Kaleetan Lake Trail 1010 at approximately .7 miles and stay right. Beyond Tuscohatchie Lake, the trail continues for two miles with little elevation gain through old-growth forest with occasional views of the Pratt River valley and Kaleetan Peak. Continue for 2.3 miles, ascending gradually at first and ending in a series of switchbacks that climb to the junction with the Denny Creek Trail near Melakwa Lake. Melakwa Lake is beautiful, with clear green water and surrounding views of Bryant Peak from the east and Chair Peak from the northeast side. More details: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/melakwa-lake