Lena Lake, The Brothers — Thursday, Apr. 6, 2006

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Lena Lake is a good destination this time of year. The trail is largely snow free (a few small patches remain here and there)and is in good condition, except for a number of blowdowns, that have occurred in particularly awkward places on the trail. Yesterday turned out to be warm and sunny during our hike. The lake was as beautiful as I've ever seen it. We continued around to the Brothers trail and headed up it for a ways, enjoying the mysterious beauty of the Valley of the Silent Men. There was more snow here, and its contrast with the huge trees and mossy boulders was wonderful. The trail here is in terrible condition. Where it's not obliterated by blowdown, it is still hard to follow. We walked about twenty minutes in, but didn't get very far. We decided to turn back and investigate the far side of the lake. There's no real trail there, but we found short remnants of one and were able to pick our way around over boulders and under blowdown to a fabulous spot overlooking the lake with a view north to the peaks above Upper Lena, a view I've never seen before from Lower Lena. When we started our hike there was only one other car at the trailhead, but on our return, late in the afternoon, quite a few people were coming up the trail. I was surprised to see them starting out so late in the day. This is a popular spot, for good reason.