The first two miles of trail was in great shape. Encountered first patches of snow 1.3 miles in. Hard compact icy snow just after the first bridge or at about 1800 ft elevation. Used micro's to keep myself from slipping. The tree is still down across trail. Lake was beautiful as always with blue skies.

We reached the empty trailhead at 10 a.m., seeing only a lone coyote on the drive in. It was a sunny, quiet morning and the trail was in excellent shape. A winter wren gave us a good look (and a good buzzy warning, I think, to keep moving along). Pine siskins and juncos chattered. Shrubs in the understory are poised to begin leafing out. Enjoyed a few trillium, fawn lilies, and yellow violets near the start of the trail. We encountered only one blowdown just before reaching the lake, but it was easy to cross thanks to a notch that someone had carved out. Enjoyed lunch in the sun on the rock above the lake, and saw four other parties on the trail today. A wonderful time of year to visit Lena - escape the summer crowds!

Beautiful weather, was hiking in a tshirt. Met three groups on the way up and six on the way back down, so it was a busy trail. Lots of water on trail, probably about ten feet or so on every switch back. If you don't like cold wet feet, I'd recommend some good waterproof boots.

There was only 1 car at the TH when we arrived at the TH about 10:00 AM. Today Lena Creek did not leave us "high and dry" to quote Craig Romano in his Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula book! When we reached the beautiful mossy rocks area just prior to the first bridge at 1.9 miles,there was water over the trail which would have taken me 3 ankle deep steps to cross. If Bob hadn't just had rotator cuff surgery there was an area to the right of the trail where he thinks we could have crossed under a log and on rocks. The bridge was not in sight at our turn back point, but I'm sure it was just around the corner. We met 3 backpackers and one other group as we returned to the TH.

If your looking for a moderatly strenous day hike, Lena Lake in the Olympic National Park is a good trail to travel. The trail is well maintained, and easy to follow. It is about 3.5 miles from the trailhead to the Lena Lake Campground, with about 1,600 feet elevation gain. The weather was great, no rain, lots of sun and very warm. The Lena Lake trail begins with a series of long switchback (I believe 9 in all) starting in second growth forest but soon blends into old growth forest with large trees, and fallen underbrush heavily overgrown with ferns and moss. There are two sturdy bridges the first crosses a dry riverbed and the second crosses a gentle cascading creek. Lena Lake is a good sized lake surrounded by peaks, trees and peaceful silence. If you are planning on more than a day trip, there are several nice campsites near its banks. Although the trip is about a 7-8 mile round-trip hike, I would plan on a full day to give plenty of time to enjoy the walk through the lush forest and the lake. It is mostly up hill on the way in, and all down hill for the return trip. Regardless, this hike makes for a day well spent.