Upper Lena Lake Hike

In this brutally and freakishly hot northwest summer, we thought maybe a lake hike would be nice. 

Getting to Lena Lake was relatively easy.

Lena Lake, from "lunch rock" showing a very low water level and stumps in the water.

One of several blowdowns on the Upper Lena lake Trail

Even with the forest to shade us, the heat was intense

When we saw this sign, we thought we were almost there, but no, at least another hour of uphill hiking

The trail was steep and often covered with roots and rocks of all sizes

This old stump had to be used like a ladder on this section of the trail

Just before getting to Upper Lena Lake, I turned around and saw Mt. Rainier shining over Hood Canal

Finally, hot and pooped, we arrived at Upper Lena Lake

No snow on Mt. Lena

Another view of the lake

Mt. Bretherton with no snow either

Such a pretty lake, but so hard to get to

Goodbye, Upper Lena Lake

A Blue Grouse that we spotted on the way out.

This was a great hike, but decidedly not the best idea for such a hot day, with at least 14 miles round trip and 3900 feet of elevation gain.