Backpack - Upper Lena Lake

TBD

This is my first backpacking lead, and while I'm familiar with the route, I am requiring leader permission (conversation) because it can be a tough hike in.

The trip costs $16 per person, or $19 if someone cancels last minute without having paid. Checks are payable to me, to be sent to my home address. No refunds after July 14. This will cover the cost of the ONP permits, which I have prepaid.

Also, I must have hiked with you before or have solid references for you.

Now that the housekeeping is done... here's the fun part:

Day 1 - We will head up the Lena Lakes trail early Friday morning, Aug. 3 with a break at Lower Lena Lake, and then tackle the trail to Upper Lena; the trip up should take around 6hrs with big packs but, as usual, no one will get left behind. The Lower Lena trail gains about 1300ft in 3 miles and the upper trail ambles along for a while and then ratchets up another 2700ft in the last 2.5 miles with one root scramble, one possible creek crossing (dry both times I’ve been there) and some exposure. The entire trail is 7.2 miles one way. Once at the lake, we’ll snag a couple campsites, set up camp, get water and maybe have a nice, cooling swim before dinner.

Day 2  - We’ll have a leisurely breakfast in camp Saturday, Aug. 4 (although sunrise coffee can be extraordinary by the lake)  and do a short hike to Milk Lake, a milky turquoise snow-fed lake off Mt. Bretherton, with a great view of the scramble route on Mt. Bretherton. After that, we will take a longer (up to 6mi round trip) hike with about 600 ft of elevation gain) from Upper Lena toward Scout Lake (this will be exploratory for me, as I lost the trail ½ mile above the lake when I tried for it last time). We’ll get back in the mid-afternoon for a swim, chill time in camp and dinner.

Day 3 – After an un-rushed breakfast (and maybe a last swim and walk to the other side of the lake), we’ll break camp and head back mid-morning for the 7.2mi 4000ft descent from Upper Lena. This is likely to take about 4 hours. The Oly crowd will probably stop for Mexican food in Shelton on the way back.