Franklin Falls Viewpoint–Melakwa Lake, 5 sights is a 12-mile out-and-back near Denny Creek, WA. The route passes Franklin Falls Viewpoint and Melakwa Lake before reaching Lower Tuscohatchie Lake at the turnaround, 5.9 miles in. It climbs 3,553 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 41/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi2,277 – 4,633 ft · steepest grade: 28%12.1 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Denny Creek Trailhead 47.41519, -121.44340
Nearest town Denny Creek, WA
Directions
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Franklin Falls Viewpoint–Melakwa Lake, 5 sights
12 mi · ▲ 3,553 ft · 5 hr 47 min
Elevation 2,276–4,634 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Denny Creek Trailhead · 47.41519, -121.44340
Weather Sep 4: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:42 PM
Dogs allowed on leash
- Start on Denny Creek Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Franklin Falls Viewpoint.
- 4 miPass Melakwa Lake.
- 500 ftSharp left onto Melakwa Lake Trail, heading SE.
- 1.8 miPass Lower Tuscohatchie Lake.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 400 ftReach Franklin Falls Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2 miSharp right onto Denny Creek Trail, heading SE.
- 4 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
98% dirt2% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 7:42 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.6 mi in (~156 min). Leave by 4:46 PM for the 7:42 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
More from Denny Creek Trailhead Trailhead
- Kaleetan Peak–Franklin Falls Viewpoint, 5 sights 10.5 mi · ▲ 4,799 ft
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