Backpack - Seven Lakes Basin & High Divide

Mink Lake / Lovers Lane trailhead
(https://goo.gl/maps/peJr1fVX8GzrqA7AA)

Saturday July 15th at 9am

Rain or shine

This is a very challenging (average of 10+ miles and 3000' per day, with a big first day of 13+ miles and 5500' gain) backpacking trip.  We’ll be hiking counter-clockwise around the Seven Lakes Basin / High Divide Loop in the Olympics.  We'll expand on the traditional loop, visiting Mink Lake, Hoh Lake, Spread Eagle Pass, and Appleton Pass.  We'll hike at a brisk pace (2 mph), with lots of mileage and elevation gain every day, but we'll also make time to stop for photo opportunities.

In your permission request, please detail your recent backpacking experience, including daily mileage and elevation gain.

Our itinerary includes stretches of primitive trail (Cat Basin trail, Swimming Bear Lake Way trail, and Cat Basin - Appleton Pass Way trail), so participants must be comfortable trekking with fully-loaded backpacks on narrow, primitive, unmarked paths and on uneven, rocky terrain.

On day 1, we'll meet at the Mink Lake / Lovers Lane Trailhead and hike past Mink Lake to Deer Lake.  We'll then continue counter-clockwise on the High Divide trail, passing by Lunch Lake, Bogachiel Peak, and Hoh Lake on our way to our first camp at the CB Flats group site.  13+ miles, 5500' gain.

On day 2, we'll hike back up to the High Divide trail and then continue counter-clockwise, passing Heart Lake and Swimming Bear Lake and heading over Spread Eagle Pass on our way to our second camp at Appleton Pass.  9 miles, 3500' gain.

On day 3, we'll descend from Appleton Pass to the main Sol Duc River Trail, and then continue counter-clockwise back to the trailhead.  9+ miles, 500' gain.

Route details: https://caltopo.com/m/BG16E

Weather forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?textField1=47.9506422&textField2=-123.815197#.ZD2GXS-B2Fo

Bear canisters are required.  Ursacks are not allowed.  Microspikes may be required depending on snowfield conditions.

Participants will each be responsible for a $17/person permit fee.  All vehicles will need to pay a park entrance fee or display an America the Beautiful pass.

The trip will be relocated to a different destination if dangerous snowfield crossings are present along the planned route.  Mid-July is early season for the Seven Lakes Basin, so it's entirely possible that this trip will need to be relocated.