Lena Lake, Upper Lena Lake — Friday, Dec. 8, 2023

To the lower lake:

I was delighted to see that I was the first car in the lot at 7:45 am this morning. Road was fine getting in (paved). I wasn't sure what the trail situation would be given the recent monsoon, but it wasn't bad! No blockages, just wet in some places. (aka small streams are running on the trail, but never enough to make you dramatically wet.) There is one larger stream crossing closer to the lake, but that also posed no problem. No snow. Many mushrooms still popping up, which made for slow going (mycologist here :)). 

To the upper lake:

I knew I probably wouldn't make it all the way to the upper lake, and unfortunately, I was right. After leaving lower Lena Lake, the trail gets more rocky and difficult. There were a couple blowdowns to climb over. Longer stretches of the trail were covered with small streams. But I happily pressed on, reveling in the quiet, magical forest. This came to an abrupt halt at the big stream crossing at around 2630 ft. Sadly, the giant log was coated in ice, and I couldn't even climb up it without slipping. The stream was raging, and there was no other way across. I suppose in hindsight, if I had been able to somehow get up, I could have scooted across on my butt. But oh well...It was getting late anyway. I turned around and went back. Still some nice views to be had, and the sun was trying to peek out.

I saw 7 people all day. Incredible!! I have never seen this place so dead. Love it!