Lena Lake, Washington, USA is a Great Hike
Olympic National Forest Trail Attracts Newbie to Expert Backpackers
Feb 7, 2009
The hike has an elevation gain of 1,250 feet over the 3.2 miles - but long switchbacks that reveal increasingly stunning views of giant fir and cedar trees, alpine streams and rock formations - make the route easy.
There is no better trail for day hikers and newbie backpackers.
The trail is marked, and it's impossible for hikers to get lost - unless they go off the trail.
Lena Lake is in Olympic National Forest, but an additional trail beyond Lena Lake - called Upper Lena Lake - leads more experienced hikers to a stunning, little-visited part of world-famous Olympic National Park.
Lena Lake is a popular outing, and hikers usually have company on the trail and in the campground.
Great for Newbie Backpackers
Lena Lake has a campground with 28 rustic campsites - all with metal fire rings - and a composting toilet. Lena Lake rises with snowmelt in the spring, and some campsites are flooded until June.
The hike puts backpackers into beautiful country, but the car or truck is never more than two hours away. New backpackers can head to Lena Lake for shakedown hikes that give them confidence and skills to try longer jaunts in the outdoors.
Lena Lake is also a great day hike. Many hikers leave the trailhead early in the morning, reach Lena Lake in a couple of hours, and then eat lunch, enjoy the great fishing for wild trout, bird watch or even swim.
The Best Time for Lena Lake
The trail is open all year, but snow can pile up during the winter, and the spring and fall can be very rainy. Hikers who crave dry conditions - and fewer bloodthirsty insects - should hike to Lena Lake from mid-July through mid-September, which are the driest, warmest months for the Olympic Peninsula.
What to Bring
All hikers should wear layered clothing, so they can adjust to the ever-changing weather of the Pacific Northwest. Every person going up the trail should wear hiking boots - the lightweight models that are now so popular work well.
Backpackers should bring three dehydrated meals for each person for each day of the trip. Backpackers should carry a sleeping bag that can handle night cold of 20 degrees, a sleeping pad, a light tent with rainfly, light cooking gear, a water purifying filter and, perhaps, fishing tackle.
The 10 Essentials
Every person going up the trail should also bring the Ten Essentials:
- Map, compass and the knowledge to use them. A GPS unit doesn't replace a map and compass.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
- A extra layer of a fleece jacket and a waterproof shell.
- A flashlight or headlamp.
- A backpacker's first-aid kit.
- Matches in a waterproof container and firestarters.
- A knife or multi-tool, such as a Leatherman.
- Emergency food, such as beef jerky, nuts and dried fruit.
- Water in a bootle or canteen - and water filter.
- A space blanket.
Trailhead Directions
Washington's capitol city of Olympia is the closest sizeable city to this trail.
To get to the Lena Lake trailhead, which is near the small town of Hoodsport on the east side of Washington's Olympic Peninsula:
- Take U.S. Highway 101 to Forest Road 25, which is 14 miles north of Hoodsport.
- Turn onto Forest Road 25 - it makes a T-intersection with U.S. 101. The road is also marked with a Hamma Hamma Recreation Area sign.
- Follow Forest Road 25, which is paved, 8 miles to the Lena Lake Trailhead. There is plenty of parking.
Permits and Rules
Hikers must register at the trailhead - and have a day or annual U.S. Forest Service pass on the dashboard of their vehicle. This pass is available through U.S. Forest Service offices and many outdoor and sporting goods stores.
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