Kaleetan Peak by Chair Peak overlooks Melakwa Lake Basin. It ranks #3 after Snoqualmie Mountain in North Snoqualmie Pass. Moreover, the north ridge extends to Mount Roosevelt, perching over Snow Lake.
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Kaleetan Peak at a Glance
Access: Denny Creek Trailhead
Round Trip: 11.5 miles
Elevation Range: 2280′-6259′
Gear: helmet
GPS Track: unavailable
Dog-Friendly: with guidance
The Preface
Friends from Seattle Mountaineers and I went climbing in the North Cascades yesterday. Then today, I took the pups to Kaleetan Peak with me. The crux wasn’t the peak but the long way to Melakwa Lake via Hemlock Pass.
The way to Kaleetan Peak mostly turned out more direct than I thought, class 2-3. But its pointy profile has led me to believe otherwise since I first noticed it. Glad the pups also made it up to the top with guidance.
See more trip photos here.
South Route via Melakwa Lake
We took the defined path past the lake, gaining the most elevation above the water. I saw the entire route from Point 5700 and dropped west of the crest. We traversed the west slope before gaining back the altitude.
The steep gully was my biggest concern as we looked up by the entrance. But it was the most enjoyable part, mainly a class 2 and class 3 scramble. Meanwhile, I kept the dogs close to keep from kicking down loose rocks my way.
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Kaleetan Peak Summit Plus Views
What a glorious day out in the wilderness! We started hiking early from the empty when empty trailhead and spent lots of time alone on top. Chair Peak was within reach, but Melakwa Lake looked far from the top.
Views included Mount Defiance, Revolution Peak, and Russian Butte. Then to the northwest were Caroline Peak and Preacher Mountain, plus the impressive Mount Thomson to the northeast.
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Leaving Denny Creek Basin
Not sure what I was thinking. On the return to Point 5700, I decided to drop into Melakwa Lake Basin first. Several places felt like exposed class 3, but glad we all made it down in one piece.
Soon, we were back on the trail and on a long trek back through Denny Creek to the car.
See more trip photos here.