A natural granite waterslide sits one mile up this Snoqualmie Pass trail, and most people never go any farther
Most people who park at the Denny Creek trailhead never make it past the first mile. That’s not a knock on them — it’s kind of the point.
This is one of the rare Cascades trails that pays off no matter how far you’re willing to go. Twenty minutes in, you’re standing at a natural waterslide. Push further and there’s a waterfall, then a whole alpine lake waiting at the top if you’ve got the legs for it.
Denny Creek Trail sits in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, just off I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass. Here’s how each stop breaks down, and what it takes to reach it.
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The Slabs: a natural waterslide, no hiking boots required
About a mile in, Denny Creek spreads out across a wide stretch of smooth granite known as The Slabs. The water moves slow enough here to actually slide down, and shallow pools collect at the bottom for wading.
It’s a 2.2-mile round trip from the trailhead to reach it, with almost no elevation gain — which is exactly why it’s packed with families on hot summer weekends. This is the stop that makes the whole trail worth it even if you never plan to see the lake.
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Keekwulee Falls: the waterfall you shouldn’t wade into
Keep going past The Slabs and the trail climbs to Keekwulee Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall dropping through mossy rock and dense evergreens. It’s a 4-mile round trip from the trailhead with about 1,115 feet of elevation gain — a moderate hike, roughly two and a half hours out and back.
Unlike The Slabs, this one isn’t a swimming spot. The rock around the falls is slick and the current is stronger than it looks, so admire it from the trail instead of getting in.
Melakwa Lake: the reason to keep climbing
Go the full distance and you’ll reach Melakwa Lake, tucked into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness beneath Kaleetan and Chair Peak. The full round trip runs 9.6 miles with roughly 2,775 feet of elevation gain — a hard day, typically six to six and a half hours.
Snow can linger on the upper trail into June, and the terrain gets rocky enough that sturdy footwear matters more than usual. The reward is a granite basin lake that most day hikers on this trail never actually see.
What to know before you go
The trailhead is about 2.8 miles off I-90 at Exit 47, via Denny Creek/Tinkham Road. Parking fills up fast on summer weekends, so get there early if you want a spot close to the trail.
Since this is national forest land, you’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park — there’s a self-pay station at the trailhead if you don’t already have one. Hikers continuing into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness toward Melakwa also need to fill out a free self-issue wilderness permit at the boundary.
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in a hotel before Snoqualmie Pass weekends book up, or stay right at the trailhead campground with a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current requirements before you go.
