From my trail journal: “9:00 AM, 6/18/2009, Lena Lake trail head, USFS Rd 25 (Hamma Hamma River Rd) – Starting out w/ clouds and sun breaking thru, around 60 degrees F. It’s a little drippy under the trees.
10:25 AM – Have taken a break at the Brothers Camp, on the northern shore of Lower Lena Lake. Got a little sweaty getting here, but my energy levels are OK. Having gotten here in 1.5 hours w/ no breaks, making good time, especially with a 38# pack on my back. While there is some blue sky overhead, peaks all around are shrouded in cloud, with mild temps and a pleasant breeze.
11:35 AM – Am about 45 minutes up from the camp, taking a cool-down break next to the creek. There are 17 switchbacks between the trail head and lower Lena Lake.
12:50 – Again, along the shore of Lena Creek, having a cool-down break. Phew! It’s been a climb, with 24 switchbacks so far.
2:45 PM – Am at Upper Lena Lake camp, campsite #1, on the north shore of the lake, arriving at 1:55 PM. The sky is entirely socked in, the lake about 50% frozen over, and there is lots of ice on the surrounding slopes. I’m glad to be here, and to be done climbing. I counted 40 switchbacks – and that’s just since the top of Lower Lena. There is just now getting a patch of sun going on here, but the breeze saps any warmth. It’s time for a much-deserved lunch of tuna in foil-pak and cocoa.
8:00 PM – It is still socked in and now is lightly raining. I’ve set up camp, and even took a short nap. My left leg has been quite spasmy, altho it has calmed down. Dinner is reconstituted Beef Stroganoff from Backpackers Pantry.
9:45 PM – The light is fading from the sky, and the waterfall sings on, loudly and uninterrupted. I appear to be the only one up here, and that suits me fine. Sprinkles have passed over many times, and I am just now catching sight of some stunning mountain ramparts above the lake. I had thought to spend some time wandering up toward Scout Lake, but the area is still too snowbound. It is sublimely peaceful up here. I’m camped under a very large hemlock, which shelters me from the drizzles and sprinkles. I have my tarp ready to pull over me just in case the wet gets any worse. It is getting too dark to write.
7:30 AM, 6/19/2009 – Got out of my warm bag for just a few minutes to heat water. It is completely socked in now and the lake is hardly visible. I stayed dry, tho my bag is damp, and my tarp is wet, along with nearly everything else. I slept rather soundly last night, often I sleep in fits and starts when I’m on a hike. I feel well rested this morning. Lots of odd dreams I can no longer recall. I think I’ll pack it up right after breakfast, and plan to spend some time at the lower lake.
3:40 PM – Back out to the trail head. The trip out took about as long as the trip up. Weird.”
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