Amazing weather and views on the Seven Lakes Basin Loop in Olympic National Park! Our main objectives were to hike this in a day (versus the traditional multi-day backpacking circuit), getting views across the Hoh River Valley to Mount Olympus, and surveying the Bailey Range for future trips.

Weather: 0630 h, clear, 37ºF (3ºC), calm. 1200 h, clear, 59ºF (15ºC), calm. 1730 h, clear, 50ºF (10ºC), calm. Pressure steady, 30.23 inHg (1024 hPa).

Route: Started and finished at Sol Duc Trailhead, 2000 ft (610 m) GR 376116. We hiked the loop counter clockwise via Deer Lake Trail, High Divide Trail, and Sol Duc Trail. Our high point was Bogachiel Peak, 5470 ft (1667 m) GR 418060. Distance, 18 mi (29 km). Gain, 4350 ft (1325 m). Duration, 10 h 2 min. (Grid References: WGS84)

Wildlife: No mega fauna sighted. The only sign we noticed was an old bear scat near the trailhead. Mini fauna included an American dipper in Deer Lake, several robins, a Pacific wren, and one hungry chipmunk on Bogachiel Peak. Seems like most of the bigger critters up there had moved down to the valley bottoms or had already burrowed in for winter. Flora was in fall decay with lots of vibrant colours, especially the blueberry bushes in the subalpine.

Hazards: No water on High Divide for 5 mi (8 km) between the tarns 0.6 mi (1 km) south of Deer Lake, 4100 ft (1250 m) GR 388074 and Heart Lake, 4760 ft (1450 m) GR 452066.

Notes: An amazing streak of sunny weather set this hike up perfectly. We had just returned to the Olympics from touring the Pacific Northwest National Park’s. We were looking for one more hike to fill out our itinerary on route back home to Victoria. Two prior visits to the Sol Duc Valley earlier this season teased us with lingering snow and socked in views. We finally got lucky with the timing, weather, and route conditions!

No permit is needed for this trip as a day hike. Wilderness Camping Permits are required for all overnight stays in the ONP wilderness (backcountry) year-round. Obtain permits at the WIC in Port Angeles.

We staged our trip from Sol Duc Campground. 2018 Season: March 23 - October 29. 82 total sites, $21+ tax if walk-in; $24+ tax if reserved. This put us 5 min from the trailhead for an early morning start. No reservations are necessary at Sol Duc Campground this time of year.

This is an epic day hike and highly recommended if you’re looking for big miles and big views!

Mike Blake
ACMG HG
mbguiding.ca