Upper Lena Lake — Thursday, Jul. 22, 2021

Doing Upper Lena Lake as a day hike is a workout, but having a lighter pack is a definite advantage on the 15 to 20% grades over the last 2 miles of the upper trail.  Thanks to the WTA crews working the lower trail and the park ranger giving a needed trimming to the upper trail - your work is very much appreciated!  The round trip is nearly 16 miles with more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, winding through a wide range of terrain from massive old growth forest to rocky/rooty scrambles.  Huckleberries and salmonberries are ripe along the mid and upper sections of the trail, and the flower show near the upper lake is awesome, including monkeyflower, bluebells, columbine, tiger lilies, avalanche lilies, phlox, and many more.  Pause at the 4,500-foot ridge just before descending into Upper Lena Lake to take in a perfectly framed view of Mount Rainier to the southeast.  The lake is cool but quite refreshing - a gem that is well worth the workout!