Four Itchy Feet

July 23, 2025. Tacoma, Washington. Day 63 of 170

Some hikes just call for a repeat visit, and Lena Lake is definitely one of them. This 7.2-mile roundtrip trek, with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, rewards you with a fantastic swimming lake at the top. Our last trip to Lena Lake was on a bustling weekend, but today, we had the entire trail and lake to ourselves.

Although there was some smoke in the air from the nearby fires at Staircase Campground, it didn’t detract from our enjoyment of the hike and the lake. As soon as we reached the lake, we fashioned a makeshift log canoe and embarked on a swim and log ride. The water was noticeably colder than our previous visit, but still incredibly refreshing. We highly recommend this hike; it offers so much and is one you’ll want to experience again and again!