Fun overnight trip to Upper Lena. Cloudy on the hike in, completely socked-in with clouds at Upper Lena until after sunset, clear and sunny on the hike out the next day. High fifties/low sixties in the evening. No bugs.
This was my first backpack of the year, and I kinda wish I had chosen an easier one. The trail from parking to Lower Lena was delightful, with wide and even tread. Stopped at Lower for lunch. Saw a few cool animals and a bunch of amazing flowering plants.
Then came the climb to Upper. Man, this trail. Parts of it are really, really brutal. It’s got it all: incredibly steep sections, hot and brushy avalanche chutes, segments of eroded roots to climb with all fours, ever-present uneven rocks, and LOTS of climbing. At least it was cloudy and cool for my attempt, a minor saving grace.
Got to Upper sweaty and completely bonked. The fog was surreal, I couldn’t see more than about 30 feet in front of me, so no view. But it grew on me. Very cozy and PNW. I wandered for a bit and set up camp at a site on the south shore of the lake. I encountered absolutely no biting insects, which seemed like a miracle. I set my tent, changed into clean clothes, and laid down to read in the fog with my gas lantern giving nice candle light. Completely and utterly exhausted. The clouds became patchy and started to clear after sunset, 10pm or so, making for a gorgeous dusk. I passed out soon after.
The hike out was pretty quick, but the way down from Upper was still pretty treacherous. Take time, take poles, think about foot placement. Once I was back down in the forest, the way out was fast.
Overall very nice hike, cool experience with all that fog too.
Comments
eardstapa on Upper Lena Lake
That photo of the garter snake is amazing! Well done!
Posted by:
eardstapa on Jul 21, 2024 07:01 PM