Backpack - Seven Lakes Basin & High Divide

This is a mentored backpack for Ellsa Kunz.

This is a challenging 3-day backpacking trip, with non-trivial mileage and elevation gain every day.

Participants should be in excellent physical condition, and must be comfortable with varied trail conditions.  We may encounter blowdowns, and we will travel off-trail in areas of scree, talus, and boulders.

As with any trip in the backcountry, all participants should be prepared for adverse weather conditions, including rain, hail, snow, wind, and cold temperatures.

We'll be hiking at a decent pace (2 mph), with breaks for food and pictures.

To ensure that we have a compatible group (fitness, comfort with challenging terrain, etc) able to successfully and safely complete the trip, leader's permission is required.  In your request, please:

(1) Confirm that you've read and agree with the trip's Goals, Expectations, and Style.

(2) Confirm that you're comfortable with challenging terrain

(3) Detail the trips you have planned for this season

(4) Detail the trips you've taken *in the last 12 months* that have prepared you for a trip like this.  For each trip, please provide:

• your average distance/gain per day
• the maximum distance/gain you had in a single day
• the # days you were in the backcountry.

Itinerary (Caltopo Route):

On day 1, we'll meet at the Sol Duc trailhead, hike the short distance to Sol Duc Falls, and then head uphill to Deer Lake.  We'll continue up to the High Divide Trail, make our way through a landslide area (not steep, but lots of rock and uneven terrain to traverse), and down a steep trail to our camp at Lunch Lake.  8 miles, 3700' gain.

On day 2, we'll ascend back up to the High Divide Trail and continue our journey counter-clockwise.  We'll take a short break to check out the views from atop Bogachiel Peak, and then sneak in a few views of Mount Olympus as we continue east along the ridge.  Finally, we'll drop down into a valley and set up camp at Heart Lake.  4 miles, 1700' gain.

Since day 2 is a relatively short day, we may opt to take an optional day hike up to Swimming Bear Lake, which is absolutely stunning.  4 miles, 1200' gain RT.

On day 3, we'll continue counter-clockwise around the loop, making our way down the Sol Duc River Trail back to the trailhead.  7.5 miles, 600' gain.

WTA Trip Reports

Weather forecast

Participants will be asked to pay $17/person for the backcountry permit obtained by the trip leader.

Sol Duc Trailhead (Google Maps)

A valid parking pass is required at the trailhead

Friday September 12th at 9am

Rain or shine