Putvin Way

Best done as an overnight or two (depending on extensions), but a single day loop is possible with a strong group. The traverse starts at Lena Lake trailhead to Lake of Angels trailhead, or vice versa is 18 miles. The trailheads are separated by 4 miles which can be set up as a car shuttle, or road walk. If doing a road walk it's the full 22 miles.

The route climbs to Upper Lena Lake, then onto the Putvin Way trail which follows a ridge line to St. Peter's Gate, a saddle passage below Mount Stone that descends to Lake of Angels. From Lake of Angels the route drops the Lake of Angles/Putvin trail to the Hamma Hamma road.

If wanting to explore further, go west from Lake of Angels up and over a ridge to a location known as Stonesthrow on some maps (Hagen Lake) and see Mt Hopper to the west.  2St. Peters gate requires class 2 and 3 scrambling on loose talus and scree on steep slopes, and depending on the year and season, steep snow in a north facing couloir.

To overnight at Upper Lena requires a quota permit through Olympic National Park. Non quota permits for other areas can be obtained by calling the Olympic National Park Wilderness Center. 

• Suitable Activities: Scrambling
• Seasons: June, July, August, September
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Strenuous 4, Technical 3
• Length: 18.0 mi
• Elevation Gain: 8,000 ft
• High Point: 5,900 ft

• Land Manager: Olympic National Forest
• Parking Permit Required: Northwest Forest Pass
• Recommended Party Size: 8
• Maximum Party Size: 8
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 8