High Divide Trail

If you want the quintessential Olympic alpine tour, this is it. The High Divide – Seven Lakes Basin Loop delivers rainforest-to-ridge variety, clear alpine lakes, and front‑row looks at Mount Olympus and the Hoh River Valley. The full loop is roughly 19 miles total, most often backpacked over 2–3 days, though fit hikers sometimes push it in a long day. Expect about 4,000 feet of climbing and rolling ups and downs along the ridge.

Start from the Sol Duc Falls Trailhead and warm up through old‑growth forest to photogenic Sol Duc Falls, then climb past Deer Lake to Heart Lake and the High Divide. The ridge is the showpiece: big panoramas of the Olympic Mountains and the Bailey Range, with the Seven Lakes Basin spread below. Common side notes include Heart Lake for a quick cool‑off and views near Bogachiel Peak. The descent returns through the Sol Duc River valley, closing the loop.

Wildlife sightings are part of the charm—black bears, marmots, deer, and sometimes mountain goats. In midsummer, subalpine meadows pop with wildflowers; late season brings huckleberries. Keep food secured (bear canisters are required for overnights) and give wildlife plenty of space.

Best time to hike: Aim for July through September. This is one of the first high routes to melt out, but snow can linger into early summer and early storms can hit by October. Weather turns fast on the divide—pack layers and rain gear. For photography, sunrise and sunset on the ridge or from the basin are spectacular.

Permits and rules: An Olympic National Park entrance pass is required, and overnight trips need a backcountry permit with designated camp reservations—summer weekends book out months ahead. No pets on this trail. No campfires above 3,500 feet, which includes the basin and divide. Water is plentiful from lakes and streams; always filter.

Trail tips: Both directions work. Clockwise typically feels more gradual; counterclockwise front‑loads the climb. Watch junctions—at Appleton Junction, keep right to stay on the High Divide corridor. If you drop to Lunch Lake, know the climb back out is steep and stout. Early season snow can cover parts of the divide; carry traction and be prepared to turn around if you’re not equipped.

Bottom line: It’s a premier loop for a reason—big scenery, classic Olympic variety, and a rewarding ridge traverse. It’s popular and demanding enough to require planning, but if conditions and permits line up, it’s absolutely worth your time.