Lower Lena Lake

March 26, 2016

Sometimes it's nice to re-hike a trail that has given you trouble in the past to check your current level of conditioning. This was one of those instances. I have hiked to Lower Lena Lake a handful of times, and each time I have huffed & puffed my way up, having to pause to catch my breath along the way. The trip down has vexed my knees, hips and quads. It's not a difficult trail - in fact, it's rated as appropriate for kids - but it has a steady and continuous elevation gain of 1300 feet in 3.6 miles. It's just one that has given me trouble.

photo by Holly Scheyer

This week's trip up to Lena Lake was under partly sunny skies. The trail is becoming very popular, thus is seeing heavier foot traffic, but it is well maintained and still in fairly good condition. It "meanders" (a polite term for switchback after switchback) up through a beautiful old growth forest. The trees here are easily 100 feet tall, rising impressively above the forest floor, as if reaching towards the heavens. Even with all this beauty surrounding us, there was also evidence of our recent wind storms. Trees were down across the trail; one stately giant snapped off and, as it fell, uprooted two other large trees, who then broke off another tree further down the hill. Like dominoes they took each other out, leaving splintered stumps, unearthed roots and debris behind. It was dramatically awe inspiring to be witness to the forces that had been at work here.

This trail continued upward as well, pushing not toward heaven, but to our destination - Lena Lake. It led us past one of the largest boulders I've ever seen, left behind by the glaciers that once covered this area. It took us over a dry gulch where a stream once bounced over boulders - this creekbed hasn't seen water during my lifetime, but indications of the water that once flowed can be seen. It also carried us over an active stream, and alongside a small waterfall where it cascades down the mountainside.

After executing 15 switchbacks and a couple doglegs, we finally arrived at the upper viewpoint of the lake. Lena Lake sits in bowl created by three surrounding mountains of the Brothers Wilderness. Her banks are steep, mirroring the terrain of the mountains that encircle her, making her much deeper than she appears from the surface. We sat there at the overview, soaking in the surrounding beauty and enjoying lunch. After lunch we took a side trail down to the lakeshore where we wondered at the steep banks, laughed and played on the massive tree roots and logs, and cast off any remaining stresses from our daily lives. Eventually it was time to head home, so back to the main trail we went, then on down to the trailhead.

I was pleased that I experienced none of the difficulties of past trips. I didn't have to stop for breath, nor to give my legs a break - signs that I am becoming stronger. I can see growth not only in myself, but in my hiking partners. They continue to improve in condition as well. Zillah accompanied us and continues to develop into an awesome trail dog. All in all this was a great day.

Zillah, Me, Myke, Dan, Andrea, Shelby, Evie & Bill (Holly behind lens)

Hike #11 of 52.
Distance: 7.2 miles

Elevation gain: 1,300 feet / Max elevation achieved; 2,000 ft.

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North Fork Quinault

March 19, 2016

Last weekend the PNW was hit by extremely high winds. The coastal areas were hit the hardest. Our group decided to play it safe and cancelled our planned hike. We stayed indoors, hunkered down and waited out the storm. As we listened to news reports in the days following the storm, we were glad we did. Heading out on this week's hike, I wasn't sure what we'd find on the trail, but knew our group could tackle most any obstacle that may lay ahead.

Our plan was to hike the Graves Creek trail; a pretty seven mile trek through the Quinault rain forest with about 1200 feet of elevation gain. However, the road was closed about six miles from the trailhead due to a major washout. We hauled out our trusty guidebook and located another trail just a few miles up the other side of the river - the North Fork Quinault trail. The trail distance was comparable, with a bit less elevation.

Evie on the North Fork Quinault trail

The portion of the trail that we travelled was once part of the Press Expedition's 1889 route across the Olympics, and followed an old roadbed that had long ago been abandoned due to the cost to constantly maintain and rebuild it. The Quinault River rages high during the winter and with spring runoffs and frequently jumps its banks, continually changing its course. About 5 miles up the trail is the site of a former lodge, however we weren't headed that far this trip.

A short way up the trail we encountered the first evidence of how strong the windstorm that hit the coast truly was. A beautiful cedar, who's trunk was over 4 feet in diameter, lay across the trail, uprooted by the gales. We are accustomed to encountering smaller trees across the trail from time to time, but seeing one this size was humbling. We climbed up and over it, and continued up the trail to the next downed tree, and the next. There were a few small creeks to cross, a marshy area, and a large rocky wash, none of which caused us much difficulty.

Before we knew it we had arrived at Wolf Bar Camp - our lunch destination and turnaround point. It was peacefully quiet there among the trees on the riverbank - the only sound that of the river and a lone songbird serenading from its perch above us. We weren't the only ones there for lunch - a few early season mosquitos pulled in and started dining on Evie, so after watching her aerobic bug-swatting workout, we packed up for the return trip.

Evie making her way across a stream and under a downed tree

Storm damage - Snapped Hemlock (3' dia trunk)

 

This really was a nice trail, easy up to the camp (400 ft gain). Any readers wanting to hike this trail should be prepared for the downed trees and marshy area - and bring bug spray.  The highlight of this hike, I think, was the three herds of elk we encountered near the trailhead. They were majestically beautiful. I fully intend to do this one again next year with my grandkids. By then the trees should be cleared.



Maddy, Me, Evie, Andrea & Bill in front of the ranger station

Hike #10 of 52.
Distance: 5.2 miles
400' elevation gain



Lower Gray Wolf River

March 5, 2016

Last week we hiked along the Dungeness River. This past weekend we hiked the lower section of the Gray Wolf River, which feeds into the Dungeness. Together they flow through the Buckhorn Wilderness area of the Olympic Range, into Dungeness Bay and on out into the Straight of Juan de Fuca. I hiked this trail last year - in fact, it was on this trail that the decision to return to Mount St Helens was made. I have looked forward to re-hiking this trail, partly because of the beauty of the river, and partly to give my current level of conditioning a check.

This isn't a difficult trail, although it is far more than an easy stroll through the forest. It starts out with an 800' descent to the riverbank, followed by an 800' climb up and over a beautifully forested ridge, and back down to the river. The up and over is accomplished in one mile, so is a definite work-out. The reward awaiting you on the other side is some of the prettiest riverside trail you're likely to hike. There is an established campsite that invites you to sit, linger, and enjoy the sound of the river as it sings its soothing lullaby. And sit we did. We each found ourselves a section of log and pulled out our lunches. After eating we explored the river's edge, took some photos and, in my case, fell in. Even now I can envision the expression on my father's face as he would have shook his head in wonderment at what a lack of grace his petite little girl possessed. It was a good opportunity to check the water resistance of my boots and effectiveness of my gaiters. I'm happy to announce that my feet stayed dry ... and that I do not walk on water.

We hit the trail again after our lunch break. Just up the trail a bit the water takes on the most beautiful color of light blue-green. The sun had finally broken through the clouds and bathed the forest in a shower of color - the greens and yellows of a dormant forest against the blue-green of the river was stunning. I really must return to hike this trail during the summer some time, as I can only begin to imagine how beautiful it must be.

The trail steeply climbs again for a short distance. At one time it took you to a high footbridge that crossed the river, but it was destroyed in a flood back in 1990, so the trail ends here. It's amazing to stand there, looking down at the river as it rushes through the narrow channel, and not be able to see any evidence where the bridge once stood, as nature has fully taken over. Holly and I made the trek up to that site, then turned around and joined back up with the rest of our group who chose not to make the additional climb.


Our return trip seemed to take forever, because this trail has the distinction of being uphill both ways. If our legs muscles weren't tired before, they were now. Everyone did great, even the member of our group who was experiencing some significant knee trouble. Once back at the trailhead, we shot our group photo, loaded into our vehicles and headed home, calling it a day.


I didn't use my trekking poles on this trail because I really wanted to see the difference in my performance over last year's hike. Looking back, my knees and quads faired better, but I am still having trouble with my hip flexors. A trip to the massage therapist is on my list.

Hike #9 of 52.

Distance hiked: 8.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 800'

Max Elevation achieved: 1500'