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Denny Creek Bathing Rocks are located along I 90 about 45 miles east of Seattle in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. A 1.5 mile hike on the Denny Creek trail is required to reach them. The creek runs along and over large slabs of rock that offer many spots for comfortable sunbathing. There are several levels of rock separated by waterfalls making for good exploring.
The area is very popular on weekends and probably not suitable for nude use at those times unless going far up the creek. Nude use of the rocks is fairly common on weekdays when the area sees a mild amount of use.
DIRECTIONS: Head east from Seattle on I 90 and roughly 4 miles before Snoqualmie Pass take Exit 47. You should be able to follow signs to the Denny Creek trailhead, but here are directions anyway. Take a left and go over the freeway. Turn right at the T in the road. Turn left on the road a short distance beyond the freeway overpass. Follow this road to Denny Creek campground and continue on. Shortly after the campground, take a left on the first dirt road. Go over the bridge to the end of the road and you'll be at the Denny Creek - Melakwa Lake trailhead. If you don't have a Forest Service trail parking pass, you may come back to an envelope placed on your vehicle asking you to send in $3.
The trail is fairly flat until crossing Denny Creek. It then has easy uphill portions until crossing again at the Bathing Rocks in about 1.5 miles.
SITE REVIEWS:
Subject: Denny Creek Bathing Rocks
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002
From: Anonymous by Request
(Please don't disclose my name or e-mail)
I went up to Denny Creek Bathing Rocks on Tuesday July 17th 2002. There was no nudist
activity once so ever. Got there about 12:30PM and there was a bunch of kids there (I
think it was a YMCA group or something). After they left there were still a bunch of
families with kids there.
I tried to go up a little further up the creek but the rocks were too slipperly. Followed
the trail up a little more and didn't see a path back to the creek or any other rocks. The
trail had hikers go by every few minutes. Didn't seem at all private to me but then again
perhaps I missed something.
Went back to slide down the rocks. It was fun but tore my shorts in the process.
Bottom line, it seemed like a very active place where families go and hike, and where
nudity I presume would have been looked upon as very offensive (with all the
children and their parents around). Perhaps I went the the wrong time of day, or perhaps
it was a different place than right next to the bridge, but I didn't see where a less
active place would be. Perhaps I didn't go far enough on the trail, but again I passed
many hikers going up and down as I walked up the trail.
Unless someone else can describe otherwise, I would say that this site is too frequently
used by families to be considered friendly to nudists.
And boy was the water cold.
Subject: Update on Denny Creek -
Melakwa Lake trail
Date: June 20, 2001
From: Frank (scsirules@excite.com)
Just wanted to give everyone an update on the Denny Creek - Melakwa Lake trail. A new bridge crossing has been built over the first set of falls. The new bridge is really first rate. You only hit snow at about the 4300 foot level on your way to Melakwa Lake, which is a little more than half way up the 3rd and last set of switchbacks. I was able to make it all the way to the lake. The lake is still mostly frozen, but was very beautiful and well worth the hike. There are still a few muddy places along the trail, but hey, this is the Northwest you know. I'm still waiting for all of you that love to make use of the area in the nude to show up. So far, I seem to be the only one that has made use of the scenic area in my birthday suit. The bathing rocks are very comfortable and refreshing and the sounds from the falling water are very relaxing. If you are interested in getting together to enjoy the beauty naturally, please let me know. I am available most weekdays and would enjoy the company. I hope to see some of you there soon.
Frank
Date: Tue,
13 Jul 1999
From: Kris Murray (murphtall@mindspring.com)
Denny Rocks: Nice hike, but the water was chilly. I could see that the rocks wouldn be awesome in late August or September, but until then its just a nice hike in my books.....
Subject: Denny creek
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999
From: klp2468@excite.com
Hi, here's some more info on the Denny creek bathing rocks in Washington on your webpage.
We tried going there last weekend (6/12)and there was so much snow this winter that the place still has snow! Looks like it will melt soon. Went last August and the lower place was over-run by kids even though it was the middle of the week. We got back on the main trail and found a bigger spot that was much more private about a mile up the trail. After going past the big waterfall, the trail starts doing switcbacks up the hill. At the first switchback, there's a semi-hidden trail going down to the rocks above the waterfall. Much larger than the lower spot and much more private. Neat little waterfalls and pools to check out.
Email me if you have any questions or know some other neat spots in the cascades to hang out.
Kathy - klp2468@excite.com
Date: Feb. 24th, 1998
From: Steve (s-k-par@mailexcite.com)
I visited the rocks a
few times late in summer of 97 and explored the area fairly well. When arriving at the
rocks, one can head up or down the creek to suitable spots, with up offering the most
remote areas. There are several levels of flat areas separated by rapids or waterfalls.
The slab where the trail crosses is one of the largest and another large area (our
favorite) exists above the second waterfall up the creek. The spots down the creek are
easier to reach and are smaller.
When the water is low, the rocks along the waterfalls can be scrambled to reach the higher areas. Alternatively, look for a small trail in the trees on the west side of the creek. It heads up to the area above the large waterfall. The trail is usable at all water levels and is easier and safer. The rocks are fun and are reasonably safe to climb when dry, but can be slippery when wet and are steep in places.
I discovered the area while hiking nude down from Melakwa lake one weekday - See www.pacificnet.net/wanr for nude hiking stories. When arriving at the rocks, there were nude sunbathers at the first large slab of rock where the trail crosses and more further up the creek. Later visits to the rocks showed most nude use is further up or down the creek beyond view from the trail.
It was mostly bug free when we were there in late August and September. It should also be OK in May and early June. But if it's like other areas of the Cascades, the bugs can be rather bothersome in late June and July if you don't keep moving.
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