Camp Cleland, located on Lena Lake in the Olympic
Mountain's, was the original camp of the Tumwater Area Council. It operated from 1927
through the mid 1940's.
In 1925 the Tumwater Area Council was formed in the city of Olympia, Washington. The original Camping Committee consisted of J.W. Davis, I. Ned Wood, Henry Brewer and Hance Cleland. Hance Cleland was selected as the first Council President. He was an Attorney based out of Olympia. One of the first priorities of the new Council was to find a property suitable for a Boy Scout summer camp.
In 1926 a young Wayne Sanders, from Tumwater, got his employer the Hamma Hamma Logging Company to donate a site on Lower Lena Lake and it was named Camp Cleland after the first Council President.
1927
The Camp opened in 1927 with five 12-day periods per summer at $8.50 per scout. Scout Executive, Max Stroup (M.G. Stroup), was the first Camp Director and Counselor’s included Norman Bright, Earl Hardy, Flash Partlow and Phil Bailey.
The Camp Cook for 1927 and 1928 camps was Mrs. Flora Beckworth.
1928
Once again there were five 1212-day period per summer at $8.50 per scout. Scout Executive, Max Stroup, also served as Camp Director for the 1928 Camp. I had heard that the 1928 Camp Director was Harry “Tom” Martin, but this is not mentioned in the Camp program booklet sent out prior to Summer Camp. Earl Hardy was promoted to Assistant Camp Director.
From 1927-1937 the famous college football player and mountain climber, Chet Ullin, was a counselor. (See below for more information on Chet Ullin). He was Assistant Camp Director, Head Guide, Waterfront Director, and led the Scouts on 3-day hikes from Camp Cleland.
There is a 1937 round patch with a mining shovel and pick on it.
On July 20, 1941 Camp Cleland had planned to open for its last year. I believe that due to World War II and the use of the Summit Lake site for military training, that it was decided to hold off on the closure of Cleland. At this time, the Council has a lease from the United States Forest Service for use of the camp and property.
A September 1941 report to the Council Executive Board noted the general destruction at Camp Cleland. The camp was closed, but still used occasionally for a specialized camp. There is proof that Camp was held at Cleland in July 1944.
In March 1945 it was noted in the Council minutes that Cleland is still a specialized camp. In June 1945 there was camp held at both Camp Olympus (Summit Lake) and Camp Cleland.
Pearl Harbor was December 1945. I believe that off and on from 1942-August 1945 that Camp Cleland was used as a base to train soldiers. Gas rationing and other shortages during World War II forced the closure of Cleland despite a 99 year lease.
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Directions to Lower Lena Lake: Driving Directions: Take US101 along Hood Canal about 14 miles north of the town of Hoodsport, cross the Hamma Hamma River bridge, 1/2 a mile beyond Waketickeh Creek turn left on the Hamma Hamma River road #25 and drive 8 miles to the trailhead.
Trail Notes: This hike starts off easy enough climbing 1,100 feet over the first 2.7 miles to Lower Lena Lake. From there the trail to Upper Lena Lake takes on a different demeanor. The grade gradually steepens then flattens out en route to the footbridge crossing Lena Creek. After this point the trail steepens and the track becomes rougher. One should take their time remaining cautious moving up past the wooden stairs. Above the wooden stairs the trail becomes downright 'fun' if you like scrambling (which I do). The trail moves across exposed rock requiring the use of hands when wet. In particular there is one exposed area where if you look down trail you can see a multi hundred foot abyss right off the trail. Beyond this section the trail mellows out and moves across a flat are up towards a crossing of Lena creek. The stream when flowing (like it was when I hiked it requires the use of dedicated footwear or else a tricky crossing either in terms of soaking your boots or alternately being swept away in the even of a slip where the channel narrows. Bring footwear for crossing streams!
Lena Lake Area Today: This easy trail climbs up to approach Lena Creek which is often flowing underground. The trail crosses a bridge at 2.9km but one often wonders why the bridge has been placed here as the creek bed is often dry at this point. A junction with the Upper Lena Lake trail is reached at 4.5km before the trail descends to the southern shore of Lena Lake. The campsite (Camp Cleland) is reached by a trail of roots and rocks which can cross many streams. This trail traverses the western shore of the lake to reach the camp at the northern end. Some campsites along the western shore are closed for reforestation. The trail forks at Chapel Rock, a mass of pillow lava. The upper route is used when the level of the lake is high with the lower route being only available during the summer and early fall when the lake has receded.
More on the Founder of Tumwater Area Council, Hance H. Cleland
"Mr. Cleland was born in Campbell Hill, Illinois on October 4, 1884. He received a B.S. degree at Central Normal College in Danville, Indiana in 1906 and an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) from the same college in 1906. He was a Representative in the House (Olympia) in 1913. He was an Assistant Attorney General from 1916 to 1919; and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of Spokane County.
He was appointed to the (Washington State Utilities and Transportation) Commission on August 16, 1919 to February 21, 1924. Lt. Governor Louis Hart became Governor on death of Ernest Lister in 1919 and fired A. A. Lewis and Elbert F. Blaine from the Commission and Hance H. Cleland was one of his appointees.
He then went into private practice in Olympia 1924 to 1938; he was President of California, Oregon Power Co. in Medford 1938 to 1941; President of San Diego Gas & Electric Co. 1941 to 1946; Chairman of Board of same 1946 to 1948; President of San Diego County, City and County War Chest in 1942; President of San Diego Chamber of Commerce 1943 to 1944 and President of Pacific Coast Electric Association 1944 to 1945. Mr. Cleland died October 11, 1959." (Source: Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission : Commissioner Biographies, by Judy Hurt, Spring 2005.)
Mr. Cleland received the Silver Beaver Award from Tumwater Council.