The road was in great condition. There are two painted places on the road (one on each side) where the dip or hole is giant. They are both closer to the trailhead. The bathrooms are locked up tight, so is the pay station. The trail is in amazing shape. The trail up to the massive boulder arena is dry. The first set of switch cutting paths have been aggressively walled off with logs and unfriendly looking branches. Once you pass the bridge over dry ground and go up and around, the trail can look like a running stream. It's no where near as bad as spring for sure. You also catch sight of unwarded switch cutting. I hope those get walled off too. The path is lovely, why cut? There is one tree down that is a big step over. There was no snow on the trail all the way to the lookout rock. That was my stopping point. Others moved onward. It was tempting, but I was testing new waterproof shoes and the shoes were getting an F in comfort. Last thing, there was almost no trash and I didn't see any poop bags. 

Had a blast on the trail. Just a bit of snow at the top! All four of us enjoyed it even the kids!

Snow starts on the trail to Lena Lake in the last quarter of mile. Not difficult, but can be slippery. Just a couple of small creeks to hop. We hiked past the rocky outcrop where others were lunching at the lake, hoping to continue up the trail toward Brothers basecamp.

The inlet is running strong and a too high for rock hopping. We looked a long time for a way across before scrapping that idea and heading up the trail to Upper Lena Lake. At this hour we didn't expect to make it but wanted to check out conditions.

We hiked maybe a quarter mile before things got really messy. Deep snow, trees down. It was worth checking out. 

The road to Lena Lake TH is in great condition. Plenty of parking. Outhouse open and stocked. Lots of people and dogs and kids out today having a good time. One group of backpackers hiking out and another hiking in to spend the night. The big composting toilets at the lake are closed.

Went out for a backpack trip at lower lena lake. Trail all the way up to lower lena was snow free and basically water free, just minor streams to step over. Easily passable and a nice walk in the woods.

At about the lake elevation the trail becomes compact snow covered. Not too slippery and easily passable for the sure-footed.  Not quite spikes required but not that far away from in a few more snowfalls and ice cycles.

My feet stayed dry all the way to camp. That said, it hadn't rained in 4-5 days so things were dry.  If there had been a lot of recent rain I think some of the water on trail might had been a problem.

Camp(s) at the back end of Lower Lena were basically all snow covered except for a few of the busiest tent sites.

Trail had a little snow past the second bridge. Otherwise it was clear. Trail is in good condition. Weather was sunny and crisp!