It had been probably 30 years since my last hike in the Lena Lake Area. After reading recent reports on the trail condition, Truck'in Tom, Dor and I decided to do this hike as much of the rest of trails of interest were snowed in, including the Issaquah Alps 'high country'. The trail starts with 15 long switch backs of moderate grade, just enough to warm muscle but not enough to start a true sweat (at least on this most perfect of spring days). After about 75 minutes we arrived at the lake overlook and hiked down about 300 feet to the lake shore for lunch and conversation. There are still snow patches around the lakeshore and in some of the creek bed coming up to the lake. The trail is in excellent shape and the whole trip was a nice introduction to the upcoming season.

The trailhead register indicated that a half-dozen parties had been there earlier on Tax Day, but by my after 5pm start they had all cleared out and I had the lake entirely to myself. Trail is in good shape and the lakeside campsites are snow free. The next day I did snowline probers. First up the Brothers Trail - I got well past the first bridge in the "Valley of the Silent Men" before the snow carpeted into snowshoe-deep drifts, maybe 2 miles. Then up almost to Upper Lena Lake - this trail is closer to melted out, although there are some downed trees, streams running down the trail, etc. And the snow does deepen just before the upper lake, with a few traverses en route where I wouldn't have minded an ice ax to ward off a potential slide into the creek. But the view of the Brothers where it opens out was definitely worth it. Then a nap in the hammock and out, again with (unusual for this popular area) solitude.

We hiked to Lower Lena Lake, six miles round trip with 1300 feet of gradual elevation gain. The forest at the crossing of underground Lena Creek on a sturdy bridge at about 1.8 miles is beautiful with many large moss covered boulders. We met 5 hikers leaving as we neared the lake. There was a lone backpacker there for a week, but we never saw him so had solitude which is unusual for this trail.We turned around at the overlook where the fog came and went. The trail is in good condition. There were several blooming trillium and many blooming yellow violets along the first mile of trail.

Sunny. Warm. Spring. Shirt-sleeve weather. As early as Thursday, it was clear from the weather report that Monday was not going to be a work day. When Monday finally rolled around, the question became "where?" Thanks to the high avalanche danger, snowshoeing was out of the question. Wallace Falls? Nope...been there already this year. Oyster Dome or Larrabee State Park? nice day for it, but gotta get further away from civilisation. Lena Lake? That's the ticket! Lena Lake holds a special place in my heart. From the first time I struggled up to the lake as a physically unprepared, backpackally overprepared Boy Scout, to my first solo hike in the Olympics as an adult, this trail speaks to me. The gentle climb through the beautiful forest is what hiking is about. And every time I get to the large rock overlooking the sparkling blue lake, my breath is taken away. Here is heaven. I had a late start that morning, and didn't make it to the trailhead until 1:30. It felt like summer when I got out of the car. After a few months of snowshoes, and cloudy, cold, and wet hikes...the feel of the warm sun, the fresh smell of the spring air, the sound of birdsong, and the feel of the firm earth under my hiking boots combined to create a feeling in me that cannot be described as anything other than exaltant. If the high country hadn't been still totally snowed in, I would have entered the woods and not reemerged for days. The hike up was fast...just a smidge over an hour to the overlook. About halfway up, I came to the realisation that I had a commitment back in Puget Sound City (to use a Manning-ism) at 6:00. NO!!!!! There went my plans to see how far up the Upper Lena trail I could get, and my plans for exploring out into the Valley of Silent Men. I saw a number of people on the way back down, including a group of tough looking fellas who had been doing some trail work. Hiking further, I saw their handiwork...very nice! The trail was clear and dry up to the lake. Patchy snow on the trail began between the overlook and Lena Creek, but not really a problem. I ate lunch at the overlook. Here began two epic battles. As I ate, soaking in the sun and the views, I found myself in a state of pure bliss. Every bone, every muscle, every breathe, every thought, every fibre of my being was content, relaxed, happy. I prayed in thanksgiving as the perfectness of the moment swept over me. Then, the antagonist, Mr. Resposiblity, whispered in my ear, "Remember, Seattle, 6:00." The battle began. I've got to head down in five minutes if I want to make it back in time. Yeah, but how important is it to make that commitment? It's called a "commitment" for a reason. Yeah, but... In the middle of this spiritual battle, a physical battle...a battle for my very survival began. I suddenly heard a swooshing sound inches above my head. I'M UNDER ATTACK!!!!!! Now a beak, a body, wings enter my field of view. The intruder swoops towards the lunch in my hands. I recoil just in time. I raise an arm. The intruder backs, but is still close at hand. I snatch my hat from my head, and, waving it madly, give the thief a crash course in the finer point of the English language. This does the trick, and he retreats to a nearby tree. I glower at this brazen, feathered menace, and resume eating lunch. No sooner have I re-afixed my hat and turned back to my lunch when SWOOSH...over my shoulder. My hat comes back to my hand and the renewed offensive I successfully parry. My eyes never again leave that bird until my lunch is safely in my stomach. Following lunch, I packed up, and rushed down to the car. Each step was a step towards civilisation. My agony increased with each step. No, no, don't make me go back! I made it to the car, though, and drove back to Kingston just in time to see the ferry I was intending to catch sail. Made it to Seattle a half-hour later than planned. Oh well. For those of you keeping score at home: Jon vs. Camp-robber jay, 2-0 Jon vs. Mr. Responsibility, 0-1

trail became snowy after the first set of switchbacks foot of snow on trail/in woods at lena lake less snow around the lake especially on the north side of the lake couple clear camping spots fri night and sat morning were in the twenties sat was sunny all day was wearing shorts most of the day sat night not as cold snow sunday morning then partly cloudy with sun breaks there was less snow on the hike out but it was more slushy/compact so it was a little slippery coming down