What an incredible time of year to visit these beautiful lakes! The weather is great, the wildflowers are blooming, and the salmonberries are the juiciest and ripest I've ever tasted.
The initial hike to Lena Lake fits the definition of family friendly. The trail is wide, well-groomed, and not too steep. If you plan to camp at Lena Lake, please note that the composting toilet is out of service. Do this popular site a favor and consider bringing a WAG bag to pack out your waste.
Stuff gets real once you leave Lena Lake and head up to Upper Lena Lake. The trail becomes a rough, steep climb over and around rocks, roots, and monstrous fallen trees. Count on this section taking twice as long as the hike to Lena Lake. The reward is deep forest solitude, gorgeous meadows teeming with wildflowers, a distant view of Mt Rainier on the other side of the sound, and of course lovely Upper Lena Lake herself beneath the soaring heights of Mt Bretherton and Mt Lena.
A waterfall a mile or so before the Upper Lake is a welcome place to cool off and refill your water bottle. What felt like a quarter mile long corridor of ripe salmonberries is a treat for at least a little while longer!
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