Kaleetan Peak by Chair Peak via Melakwa Lake + Denny Creek / 克里丹峯

  • Reading time:6 mins read

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.

Kaleetan Peak in all its glory
Kaleetan Peak in all its glory

See more trip photos here.

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.

Melakwa Lake
Melakwa Lake

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.

Entering the south gully
Entering the south gully

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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.

Panorama from Kaleetan Peak
Panorama from Kaleetan Peak

See more trip photos here.

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.

Finding our way home via Melakwa Lake
Finding our way home via Melakwa Lake

See more trip photos here.

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