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Lower Lena Lake,
Olympic National Forest |
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It wasn't until around nine, on Thursday night, that I made up my mind where Amber and I were going this weekend. Originally, the plan was to hike into O'Neil Creek Camp, half way to Enchanted Valley. The problem arose as the Graves Creek Road was washed out almost five miles from the trailhead. So, I wanted a place neither one of us have been, a place that provided a bit of solitude, and of course, it had to be a place that was easy to get to. You can see I had my work cut out for me. After a quick doctor appointment early Friday afternoon, I picked her jumping self up from school and sped out towards Eldon.
With only four cars in the parking area, the thoughts of Edward Abbey keeping me uninterrupted company through the night and tomorrow seemed a distinct possibility. A quick changed offered us an early start as the trail was void of hikers. We started up the switchbacks with Amber in the lead. Although the trail was only 3.5 miles, we took breaks often, wallowing in the abundance of time we had to reach our destination.
My guidebook did not think too much of Lower Lena Lake, and referred to Upper Lena Lake being the focal point of the hike. Being that Upper Lena was an additional 2700 feet of elevation, packed with unstable snow with near vertical sections, and riddled with blowdown, I thought it wise to stay at the lower lake so Amber could actually enjoy our trip. Along the way, there were caterpillars, news, slugs, and other creepy-crawlies for her to play with.
I found a Rough Skinned Newt sunning itself on the trail as she took a special interest in this guy. These newts are everywhere given the fact they have no natural predators. The toxicity in these guys is so potent, one thirteenth found in the skin can kill an adult. As they are ok to carefully handle, I made sure she washed her hands afterwards to avoid any potential irritation.
In less than 40 minutes, we crossed the outlet of Lena Lake. Amber was not even winded yet as the switchbacks were over and easy strolling through the woods was to come. She was all smiles as I could tell she missed hiking with her daddy. Amber is more adventurous than most kids her age, as I have seen her beg to go where other children of her stature fear, hold bugs that make playground children shriek while running away, and do things in the dirt that make some K9s envious of her burrowing ability.
As we came up over the last rise and the lake came into view, Amber gave a nine-year-olds interpretation of a war whoop. She did a happy dance before declaring the lake now belonged to her. The lake had a serene, peaceful demeanor as tiny fish splashed little rings on the glassed surface. Amber wanted to fish, but with no fishing signs everywhere, I had to talk the little one down as we still had yet to find a spot to set up the tarp.
We hiked to a hidden site right at the lake's shoreline, but there was no room to set up the tarp and had to keep looking. We walked to the end of the lake before crossing Lena Creek, the lake's inlet. There was a great bridge to cross on as, gratefully, we did not have to ford the creek.
We neared East Fork Lena Creek and found a campsite fit for a queen. It was the last site as the remaining circumference of the lake's banks were far too steep for any camp. The site sported a fire ring, a huge rock to look out into the lake, and the East Fork Lena creek was right next to us, providing water far cleaner than the lake could provide.
I quickly set up the tarp, raising the sides as far as I could as to avoid condensation. Amber, of course, helped out by scouting out the surrounding area for creepy-crawlies. Water treating, dinner cooking, extras stowed away in my pack, camp was all set.
I sat back to my emerging fire, admiring my quick work. Amber was checking out the lake as a mama and her six chicks floated up near our camp. With hot cocoa in hand, spaghetti with meat sauce, Amber's favorite, was on the menu tonight. The lake was quiet, but I could not help notice the lack of wood in the surrounding areas. The camp sites here along the lake were in the National Forest, but were not part of the Olympic National Park. Hence, anyone could come up here and not need any more than a forest pass.
As the sun was starting to set, the fire came to life. The party that was here before us had left more than enough scrap wood to handle us tonight. I was not sure if we would stay another day or not, so we left it up to the weather. The clouds slung lower along the hillsides with the increasing hours. I figured later into the night, they would be below us, giving us a show only the stars above could provide.
As I brought out pads from the tarp, I found an enormous Daddy Longlegs spider. With a leg span of over five inches, Amber could not resist holding the thing for some time, talking to it like it knew what the heck she was saying.
The light faded to black as it meant it was cuddle time at the fire. The heat of the fire misled us into thinking it was warmer than it really was as any time away from the fire meant and instant chill. These times cannot be replaced or duplicated in front of a blinking idiot box. These are the times when you talk about your deeper thoughts, no matter how ridiculous they may seem back home. Amber talked to me about various subjects like wanting to be a vet when she grows up, what she did in school, and where we may go on our next trip. Shortly after ten, she decided that she wanted to head for bed. I followed right along with her as the night was just too relaxing to stay up any longer.
The morning surprised me as cloudless, sunny skies were out in full glory. Although I slept fairly well, the night before had been much colder than I had planned as I was just warm enough not to warrant my rain jacket. My 40 degree bag did its job, but I was a little envious of Amber's 20 degree model. After eating breakfast, Amber and I took off across the creek to explore the other side of the lake; the side void of camps.
Crossing East Fork was no easy task for the little-legged hiker. Luckily, we found a downed tree to hold onto as we made our way across. After crossing, we tasted the water, untreated, for the second time. On the way up, we tasted a few springs along the trail as I wanted her to get familiar with good water sources; ones not from lakes, or putrid ponds.
Now on the other side of the lake, we were blessed with incredible views of the range holding Upper Lena Lake, just to the left of the foremost ridge. I could not believe how perfect the weather was as the report was for thunderstorms. Amber and I decided to head back as camp was now warmed under filtered sun from the trees above.
What we found when we got back to camp was a ripped out tent stake and a group of people using our rock as a fishing spot. Indeed our camp had been invaded as I have never experienced anything like this before. Usually, if a tent, a fire, and gear are in an area, someone is using that area. Apparently Joe Pabst and his Bud Weiser did not get the memo. As I was scratching my head, trying to get over the fact that our privacy was gone, eight more people stumbled through our camp, tripping over our tent guylines. While announcing I was pissed off at the invasion, I packed up our camp in under twenty minutes as Amber scowled at the 15 people now in our campsite. Thoughts of Eagle Creek whirled in my head.
I found Eagle Creek has nothing on this whore of a lake. The 23 sites around the lake were all occupied, except ours, before passing 58 future occupants heading to the lake on our way back. I shook my head in disbelief as I thanked God for the time Amber and I had while we were there. We were blessed with beautiful weather, the best site on the lake, an incredible fire and the finest quality time together. I dread the thought of us staying there another night as I imagined harsh words over the lack of privacy. My little girl took advantage of the long drive home, taking a power nap, preparing herself for the rest of the weekend.
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