Today my brother and I took the canoe out to our super secret giant hidden lake. Literally, it is a nearly 1700 acre lake that doesn't allow motor boats or swimming which is probably why it isn't a very popular destination. But it does allow canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc. So on a beautiful holiday weekend we set out on the canoe with no one else in sight. We explored the other side of the lake and found a good docking place and got out and looked around for a bit. Lots of cool untouched land. We got back in and paddled the glass like clear water into an inlet in search of more cool places to explore. We eventually canoed all the way to the far inlet of the lake and found a cool beach.

We beached the canoe and explored the area. Found a cool bed-down area where deer certainly have been, a good spot of gold-panning, and an excellent site for a future camping trip, and a bald eagle perched on a dead tree stump. We grabbed a quick snack and paddled back to where our truck was. By the time we got back it was mid-day and there was a total of 1 paddle-boat, 1 kayak, and 1 paddle-boarder in the lake in addition to us (on a holiday weekend with blue skies and perfect 80 degree temperature!!!)

We will definitely be back for an overnight trip to our secret beach site. And maybe, if you're really nice and I like you, I might tell you where it is...


As always check out all the photos of the hike and every hike by clicking on the "Photos" tab.

Upper Lena Lake

Day 1

I had been looking forward to this hike for quite a while now. I was really excited when the day finally arrived. It was a Friday so I still had to go to work, but I contemplated leaving early all day long. But alas I didn't. I had too much work to do. Finally when my workday was over I literally ran to my car and drove straight to my destination. It took me quite a while to reach the first stage of my trip. 4 hours and a ferry trip later I reached Lena Creek Campground where I camped for the night. Because I arrived rather late and I had been up since 3:00 am I didn't do much other than set up my tent and walk around the campsite for about 30 min. Then I went straight to sleep for my big day in the morning.

Day 2

This day was...difficult to say the least. It started out great. I woke up packed up my tent and headed to the trailhead for Lena Lakes. I started hiking to Lena Lake and that was quite easy actually. The trail was really well maintained. It was a mix of dirt, gravel and some big rocks, but it was nice and wide and exactly zero blowdowns to navigate around. I got there pretty quick and spent some time relaxing and eating lunch. There were a handful of groups at the lake, some camping and some doing some fishing. I imagine it would have been more beautiful had the low clouds gone away. There was no sunshine at the lake, but at least it wasn't raining. After Lena Lake I headed for Upper Lena Lake. This is where things got difficult. As soon as you leave Lena Lake the trail narrows and becomes less forgiving with lots of tree roots, large rocks and several blowdowns on the trail, not to mention the intense gradient change. The trail steepens, gaining about 2000 feet the last 2 miles. I was quite tired by the time I got to the top. I had rested several times and changed my shirt 3 times. Each time my shirt was completely drenched in sweat, so whenever I stopped to rest I got cold quickly. The sun finally started peaking through once I arrived at Upper Lena Lake. As soon as I got to the top I laid down and rested for a bit. Then I set up camp and cooked some dinner. Then laid down some more, I was tired. But resting in my hammock looking out at the lake was quite relaxing, peaceful and worth it.

Day 3

I woke up after a great night sleeping under the stars in my hammock. I got to see an amazing sunset, stars at night and a

beautiful sunrise all while resting peacefully in my hammock. (By the way, if you haven't caught on yet, I much prefer a hammock over sleeping on the ground!) I made some hot breakfast on my stove, and started to pack up my campsite. After spending some time at the lake and enjoying the sunshine I headed back down the trail. I found going down was faster, but a little more dangerous especially with a full pack on. Because it was steep and my legs were very tired from the day before and the loose dirt/rocks on the trail there was very good potential of slipping and falling. I managed to make it down with only one minor fall. I slipped on a slick rock causing my front leg to spread forward causing me to almost do the splits, luckily I'm somewhat flexible and nothing major was hurt. I did see some folks from WTA doing some maintenance on the trail cleaning up some of the blowdowns. So that was nice. I took a quick break at Lena Lake on my way down and reached the trailhead in about 2 hours from Upper Lena Lake. Then I made the long drive home but was able to enjoy a nice ferry ride due to the beautiful weather. All-in-all it was fun trip and a good first trip to the Olympic National Forest.

Region: Olympic National Forest, East
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 4000 feet
Peak Elevation: 4570 feet
Difficulty: Difficult
Pass Requirement: Yes. All passes honored here.
Vegetation: All kinds including ferns, moss, mushrooms, sticker bushes, wildflowers, deciduous and conifer trees.
Water Source: Lena Lake at 3.0 miles. You cross Lena Creek at 5.0 miles and reach Upper Lena Lake at 8 miles.
Wildlife: Lots of birds, frogs, slugs, various insects. Lots of fish in the lake.

As always check out all the photos of the hike and every hike by clicking on the "Photos" tab.

Greider Lakes

Today is the EXACT reason why I LOVE the Pacific Northwest and precisely the reason I started this blog. It was an absolutely perfect day for hiking. Blue skies and 75º with a light breeze.

This morning I was headed toward Greider Lakes. The trails to Greider Lakes and Boulder Lake now start at Spada Lake. You hike along an old closed road for 2 miles before you get to the old trail heads of Greider Lakes and Boulder Lake. The road from Spada Lake to the old trail head is gravel and mostly flat except for the constant gullies that have been constructed to make it impassible by vehicles. This part of the trail could make for decent trail running and even possibly mountain biking if you don't mind dismounting every so often for the deep gullies and downed trees. (I think I might try biking it next time just to make it a quicker trip.) Don't forget to check out the Spada Lake overlook as you hike along this road en route to either Greider Lakes or Boulder Lake.

Once you reach the old trial head of Greider Lakes you start hiking on a VERY overgrown trail. You notice almost instantly this trail has been neglected for quite some time. After a few hundred yards you get out of the heavy brush and the trail opens up a little bit. The trail conditions go from compact dirt to rocks/small boulders and large tree roots all while navigating over/under/around several downed trees. You climb approximately 1500 feet in about 1.5 miles. After you reach about 2900 feet you continue for another .5 mile or so until you reach Little Greider Lake.

Little Greider Lake was nice and quiet. I was the only one there; there were no other cars in the parking lot when I arrived. I knew I was the only one up there, but I did find two tarps and a tent...very strange. I don't know how someone could manage to leave behind their tent. There were about 4 established campsites at Little Greider Lake.

Then I continued on to Big Greider Lake. Big Greider also has a few established campsites for camping overnight. The trail from Little Greider to Big Greider is a short hike but VERY VERY overgrown. Its doable but just be very cautious of your footing, because its hard to see where you are stepping. But I must say I was very glad I went, it was the most peaceful time I've had in a long time. I enjoyed a nice beautiful hike down passing only 5 parties totally 17 people on my way out. This is truly one of the forgotten trails of the region.

Region: Central Cascades, Stevens Pass-West
Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
Peak Elevation: 2970 feet
Difficulty: Medium
Pass Requirement: None (I think). You do have to register your vehicle at a registration area, and display that on your dash while you're there, but there is no charge.
Vegetation: All kinds including ferns, moss, mushrooms, sticker bushes, skunk cabbage, wildflowers, deciduous and conifer trees.
Water Source: Trail begins and Spada Lake, you hike along Spada Lake for 2 miles on an old road elevated from the lake. You cross a few creeks along this road and leave the road just as the lake connects with Sultan River. Little and Big Greider Lake 4.5 and 5 miles respectively.
Wildlife: Lots of birds, frogs, slugs, various insects. Lots of fish in the lake.

As always check out all the photos of the hike and every hike by clicking on the "Photos" tab.

Eagle Lake

What better place to go than the lake named after the National Bird of The United States of America on our nation's Independence Day. Eagle Lake on the 4th of July. This lake is a less-known and even less-visited lake situated between Baring Mountain and Townsend Mountain near Skykomish.

There are two different ways to get to Eagle Lake. One way is by taking the Barclay Lake trail and then going up to Eagle Lake, this way is easier to find and get to as Barclay Lake is pretty well known and accessible. But the hike from Barclay Lake to Eagle Lake is extremely difficult (from what I've heard, I've never gone that way.) The other way (which is how I went today) is much more difficult to find and access. It is accessed through a variety of gravel forest roads and there is no marked trail head. But the hike to Eagle Lake is easier.

First off the trail was difficult to see form the forest road, luckily there was already one truck parked right where the trail started so we had a good idea where to look. The first half mile or so of the trail was very narrow and overgrown. Which made it especially difficult for me as I was hiking with my 16 month old girl on my back, and I had to be sure and not let branches whip her in the face. (I was also hiking with my wife and brother.) After the overgrown area of the hike the trail still remains narrow and you begin to hike under trees that shade most of the entire trail. The trail climbs steadily for the first mile or so all on a trail that is covered in tree roots and uneven terrain. There were a few blow-downs on the trail as well that required climbing over or around. The trail was almost entirely dry until you reached the top.

Toward the top the trees open up and a little snow is left in some areas. The snow is melting due to the hot weather which means a lot of the open areas are swampy and muddy. Plus once you reach the opening in the trees you are close to the lake and Eagle Creek is flowing right next to the trail so that causes a lot of wetness in the area. Because of the snow it was hard to tell where the trail was exactly, but it was easy enough to know where you are going. So we just headed for the lake.

The lake was pretty majestic. Nestled a midst mountain peaks and trees it is truly a secluded gem. The lake has 2 campsites for those wishing to camp overnight. There was a dad and his daughter who was about 10 years old camping there and they said the fishing was great. And perhaps the coolest part about the lake is a cabin right on the lake front fully stocked with clothes, sleeping bags, lanterns, cooking ware, stoves, propane, axes, saws and even a fireplace. It was really quite awesome.

Region: Central Cascades, Stevens Pass-West
Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 620 ft
Peak Elevation: 3970 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Pass Requirement: None, you're out in the middle of nowhere. No established parking or trail head.
Vegetation: Lots of trees for shade throughout the hike, undergrowth including berry plants, ferns, moss and grass in the fields at the top.
Water Source: Eagle Creek and Eagle Lake about 2.3 miles in.
Wildlife: Lots of birds, a few mosquitoes, frogs, deer track and bear signs. Lots of fish in the lake.

As always check out all the photos of the hike and every hike by clicking on the "Photos" tab.