Kaleetan Peak

Initial note: because this is an alpine scramble, do your research before tackling this adventure, including learning the correct route and the current conditions (such as any early- or late-season snow).

From the Denny Creek Trailhead, take the Denny Creek trail just over 4 miles to Melakwa Lakes. (See separate adventure for Melakwa Lakes, which describes several beautiful features along the trail to the lake.)

Upon arriving at the first Melakwa Lake, look for the "Toilet" sign and the path leading west toward the same. Follow the path for 100 feet or so, and upon reaching a second "Toilet" sign, instead of taking the obvious path left, take the more obscure climbers' boot bath just to the right and past this second sign. This is the start of the boot path to Peak 5700 and eventually Kaleetan Peak.

Follow the boot path until you reach Peak 5700 (which, as you may guess, is the location's elevation). After taking in the views from Peak 5700, continue along the boot path to the north in the direction of Kaleetan Peak. Shortly after Peak 5700, the boot path drops down several hundred feet into a west-facing talus field just below the saddle between Peak 5700 and Kaleetan Peak. Take your time and cross the talus field, looking out for rock cairns indicating the correct route. The route again climbs up to the ridge below and to the south of Kaleetan Peak. Follow the boot path as best you can for another few hundred feet northward up to the base of the obvious gully, which leads up to the summit of Kaleetan Peak. Scramble up the gully, an easy "class 3" scramble route. Upon reaching the summit, enjoy your destination and take in the views, but take care and watch your step (several sides of the summit have steep drop-offs and cliffs).

PERMITS
A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at the trailhead.