Headed up Sunday afternoon for a 1-night backpack. Travel from Tacoma was a little over 2 hours and we started up around 2:30pm. Parking was fine as many people had already cleared out.
It was HOT but luckily most of the hike is shaded.
The trail starts pretty quickly with switchbacks until you level out in a really cool boulder field and epic log bridge. Beyond that you only gain another 2-300 ft of elevation. After more cool rock scenery and draping mosses, you’ll cross a 2nd bridge with a sign. Then you hike around the lake with peekaboo views until you spy the lake full-on from lunch rock.
Signs for campsites lead you on and there are quite a few expansive sites near the water. Many have fire rings and log benches. We found a sweet spot with a water view and set up hammocks for sleeping.
The lake was very swimmable, cold but refreshing. A few ducks were curious about us and swam over to say hi. We filtered drinking water from the inlet stream. The trail takes you directly to it if you follow it past the first set of campsites.
We took a few dips in the afternoon and even a starry night dip before climbing in bed. Epic! The campsite was quiet that night even though we saw a couple of other parties camping in the area. I got a few mosquito bites but the bugs overall were not bad at all, even when the air was still.
The fire situation is unclear. There are signs denoting ‘no campfires’ but the forest service website for Lena lake says fires allowed in established fire rings. Not sure what to think.
We enjoyed a slow morning and headed back down after noon. The trail and lake were pretty busy for a Monday! Happy hiking!

We started at 10:15AM Parking lot full but plenty of extra room on the road.

Hike up to Lena Lake is pleasant and reasonably busy. We must have seen ~20 folks. The trail is wide and well-maintained. Nice view of the lake upon arrival with a cliff overlooking the lake that is worth taking a picture.

Filled up our water bottles at the north end of the lake where the water is running in a small creek. 

The hike up to Upper Lena Lake is certainly steeper and more arduous overall. The nice thing is that we were in the shade the vast majority of the time which was welcome. No problem getting water along the way. 

Upper Lena Lake was beautiful and quiet when we arrived. The camping spots are reasonably distant from each others and while you know other folks are there, it is just fine. We swam in the lake which was a delight after the hike up. At dusk, we saw an hawk (supposed) catching fish in the lake, deers, many fishes, and a fair amount of bugs. Mosquitoes were manageable.

We hiked up to Milk lake that afternoon and the following morning to appreciate it under different light. Better in the AM, after 0930 when the sun shines on the lake / and snow remains.

Hike back down went faster and we did not cross as many folks (sunday)

Overall a challenging hike up to camp but definitely worth it. 

I have wanted to do this hike for awhile but have avoided it knowing it’s popular. The trailhead has packed with cars extending down the road.

The trail was in great condition and took just over an hour to make it up to the lake. Oregon grape were can be found throughout the hike.

We had a quick lunch at the late but were quickly disgusted by fellow hikers disrespect for nature. A kid throwing rocks at a duck with parents not caring. 2 separate groups of people with off leash dogs attacking the ducks with the owners just laughing.
It only took 10 minutes before we had enough and hiked back.

Overall a nice hike but I’ll opt for less popular hikes during the summer season.

Well Maintained Trail. Excellent for families. Lower Lake was beautiful, we didnt try for the upper lake.

If you’re heading to the south part of the coast via Port Townsend this is a great day hike to break up your drive and stretch your legs.

I arrived to the parking lot on a Friday at 9:15 a.m. Only a few parking spaces were available. Took a quick potty break in the pit toilet which had lots of flies due to people leaving their food wrappers on the trash. Please don’t do this..it ends up attracting wildlife. A fed bear is a dead bear. Please be vigilant about securing food.

Started my way up behind a few backpackers some who were headed to Upper Lena Lake. There is definitely elevation gain but with a day pack it’s not a bad climb. I made it to Lower Lena around 11:15. Most of the camping spots were already secured, and the composting toilet was not in operation. 

I hiked along the trail passing the second junction to Upper Lena and The Brothers until I got to Lena Creek where I stopped for lunch and to filter water. There seemed to be a tent set up on the other side of the creek which looked to be a far more peaceful place.

After lunch, I began my journey back to the trailhead stopping down by the lakeshore for a bit. Some people were camped there and a couple of kids had tents super close to the lake..on a slope. That probably wasn’t a good night’s sleep. I then hiked up to the big rock overlooking the lake and took some pics and began my way down being sure to give the right of way.

I met a woman with a very large pack and two kiddos heading up. (Good for you mama!) I shared with her where I saw one or two open spots to camp. Sites at Lower Lena are first come first serve. I hope she found a good spot and they had a good time.

I returned to my car around 12:45, and headed back out on the road to the Tokeland Hotel on Willapa Bay.