Lower Lena Lake is often my first real hike of the season. It never disappoints. There is altitude, but it's not strenuous—a great easing in hike. Road access is easy, the trail is generally in good condition. (And it looks like there has been recent work on it; WTA I assume!)
I arrived just after 8am on a Thursday; one car in the generous lot. Toilets were open, no paper.
Lots of wildflowers, including one patch (that I saw) of calypso lilies! I love them. After a sit on the big rocks above the lake (joined eventually by one couple), I went down to lake level where there were no people. Toilets are closed (I can't remember them ever being open—and please don't leave bags of poo, dog or otherwise in protest). I hiked on to the river. There's still no way across the river. That's where I saw the lilies.
Since I was there, I decided to hike on to where the spur (which has a bit of mud) meets up with the trail to Upper Lena, and returned that way. I went a bit beyond the intersection (across a trickling spring) then turned back. A minute later I met a hiker who asked if I saw the big cedar. Apparently just beyond where I turned around. He said it's in the middle of the trail and is magnificent, biggest he's seen in the Olympics. So you might want to watch for that.
I met many people on the way down, including a very large group of backpackers (and why is the return always twice as long as the ascent?). Fifteen cars in the lot.
Read more on my blog!
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