Backpack - Seven Lakes Basin & High Divide

First, this is a leader permission trip. Please  explain 1) your recent experience with multi night trips, and 2) your comfort level with off trail travel. Also, leader's reply may be delayed because the leader will be outside of cell coverage for a couple of days at a time over the next couple of weeks. 

In general we will explore and experience the greater basin. This backpack is more than the typical high divide loop hike. There will be significant off trail hiking, as you see or visit around a dozen lakes, as well as views of Mt Olympus and the Baileys. 

This trip is a clockwise loop starting and ending at the Sol Duc trailhead.  We will stay 2 nights at Heart Lake, and 1 night at Morgenroth / No Name Lake. On the second day the plan is to explore east of the basin over to Swimming Bear Lake and up to views of Haigs Lake. The plan for the third day is to move our camp, exploring more of the main basin area and see/visit a couple of rarely visited lakes. The forth day we will hike out, stopping by Lunch Lake, and later we will checkout a significant geological event (an evolving land slide).

Cameras are highly recommended. Also you have better than a 50/50 chance of capturing a shot of a black bear. The plan includes plenty of time for rest and photography breaks.

I should note that we will not be going out to the Cat Walk, due to the exposure risk/danger.

A note about elevation and mileage: The hardest day will be the first day, about 9mi w/3000' gain (we will take rest breaks as necessary). The middle days are significantly shorter and less gain. The last day will have around 1000' of initial gain and then about 10 mi pretty much down hill.  I will plan to update with a gps track and more exact mileage/gain.

A note about the cost: reservations cost $8 per person per night, and there was also a one time $6 reservation fee. So, participant cost is $25, to be paid in cash (leader doesn't do electronic payment methods).

A note about cancelation: The Olympic National Park requires the permit to be finalized about a week before the trip. Anyone signed up for the trip at the cancelation date/time is committed to paying the $25 cost (simply because the leader would be stuck with the cost).

Covid-19 is an unfortunate reality.   This trip is open only to folks that are fully vaccinated for Covid-19. 

Bear Canister required.

We will meet at the trail head, which is at the end of the Sol Duc Hot Springs road.  Meeting time is  10am.

There is a per car fee to enter the Olympic National Park. Alternatively annual passes may be purchased/used.

Directions: From Port Angeles, travel west on Hwy 101 for 29 miles to Sol Duc Road. Turn left and continue for 14 miles, passing the hot springs, to the parking lot at the end of the road.