Lena Lakes
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Description:
The average hiker will want to stop at Lower Lena Lake, elevation 1,800 feet, three easy miles from the trailhead. The trail, well-maintained and made for easy walking, crosses Lena Creek at 1.8 miles, then climbs to a knoll before traversing beneath dramatic cliffs of basalt.
The junction with the trail to Upper Lena Lake is reached at 2.8 miles. Whether you are hiking or climbing, just about everyone stops for a snack at Chapel Rock, a large outcropping of pillow lava overlooking Lower Lena Lake.
From Lower Lena Lake you have several options: hike on to Upper Lena at 4,600 feet, on a steep, rough trail that leads to some of the prettiest country in the Olympics (adventuresome folks can find interesting cross-country routes); or stay on the Lower Lena lake trail as it rounds the west shore to numerous camps.
The Lower Lena Lake trail ends at an intersection -- turn left for another route to Upper Lena on an old trail, or turn right to continue on The Brothers trail as it follows the East Fork of Lena Creek.
Round trip to Lower Lena is six miles, with an elevation gain of 1,200 feet, making this portion suitable for children. Round trip to Upper Lena, is 14 miles with a gain of 3,900 feet.
Lower Lena Lake is in an unprotected area of the Olympic National Forest, but Upper Lena is within Olympic National Park, and The Brothers enclosed by The Brothers Wilderness.
Directions:
Drive U.S. 101 along Hood Canal to the Hamma Hamma River Road (FR 25) 2.3 miles north of Eldon. Drive 7.6 miles to the trailhead, elevation 700 feet. Allow about 2-1/2 hours from Seattle.
