Olympic National Park (ONP) is a spectacular sample of the great natural beauty that abounds in the North West US. Blemish-less nature formed by verdant rainforests, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain provides for a favorite backpacking destination of outdoor enthusiasts.
Miyar will take you on four days of unmitigated serenity in this backpacking adventure rated as easy to moderate. We will be following the High Divide Loop trail exploring over 18 miles and gaining a net elevation of 3,590 ft at our highest point. We will start at the Sol Duc trailhead and move counter-clockwise past the Sol Duc falls, several beautiful lakes and verdant rain forests. We will also partake some glorious views Mount Olympus from vantage points on our way. We will be hiking in August when nature and visibility can be expected to be at their best.
Glorious scenery notwithstanding, we will use the excursion as an opportunity to pick up and practice essential outdoor and backpacking skills. We would be working on different aspects like packing, camping, equipment, environmental responsibility and safety for a backcountry trip.
Skills Covered:
- Backpacking
- Pre-Trip planning/checklist
- How to Pack
- How to Camp
- Backcountry cooking
- Water management
- Waste management
- Leave No Trace principles
- Safety
- Basic Navigation
- Emergency planning
- Info on First Aid kit
- Ten Essentials
- Mountaineering
- Basic Snow skills
- Optional Ice Axe Arrest
Duration
4 DaysPassport
Not RequiredMinimum Age
13 years oldActivity
Tracking and BackpackingAccommodation
Camping
- National Park entrance Fees and camping fees
- Breakfast and Dinner. Chai/Tea
- Guiding fees
- Group gear: tents, cookware
- Pre-Trip Planning/Information session on packing
- Backpacking and Outdoors safety skills
- Travel to and from Seattle-Tacoma, Washington
- Lunches/Snacks
- Gratuities
Distance covered: 3.4 miles
Start Elevation: 1882 ft End Elevation: 3527 ft
Altitude gained: 1645 ft
We will meet at Miyar Adventures office at Redmond downtown area for an early breakfast. We will then drive out to Sol duc Trailhead. The drive is longish and would take us close to four hours. We will have a quick lunch at the Trail head while entry formalities to the park are also sorted out
Starting at the Sol Duc Trailhead, you will soon pass the sparking waters of the Sol Duc Falls. Near the falls the trail will climb steeply up to Deer Lake, where many day hikers will turn and the trail will become less travelled. After exploring the area around Deer Lake, we will camp at the Deer Lake site for the night.
Distance covered: 4.2 miles
Start Elevation: 3527 ft End Elevation: 4476 ft
Altitude gained: 949 ft
We will continue eastwards after breakfast at the campsite. After leaving the lake, the trail will wonder through the forest, passing shallow lakes and slowly rising to where expansive and breathtaking vistas come to view. Eventually the trail will split for the Seven Lakes Basin. We will adventure down to the basin where our efforts will be rewarded by a cool dip in the blue waters of Lunch Lake. Afterwards we will take the time to explore the area and visit several of the other lakes that lie in the basin..
Distance covered: 3.4 miles
Start Elevation: 4476 ft End Elevation: 4750 ft
Altitude gained: 274 ft
Continuing our trip along the High Divide Trail we will watch the valley floor below. The trail will eventually reach the Hoh Lake junction where we will take a side path leading to the top of Bogachiel Peak (5472 ft, highest point in the trail) where we will encounter views of Mount Olympus. Once past Bogachiel Peak, we will continue along the trail to Heart Lake. We will camp for the night at Heart Lake or (more likely) Sol duc Park.
Distance covered: 7.1 miles
Start Elevation: 4750 ft End Elevation: 1882 ft
Altitude lost: 2868 ft
From here the trail will begin to descend bringing us back into the thick lush forest near the Sol Duc River. Along the path we will pass several of the park’s oldest growth hemlock and fir trees. Eventually the trail back will become familiar as we pass the Sol Duc Falls and return to the trailhead.
MiyarAdventures
Backpack
Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Mat
Outdoor clothing: base layers, rain cloths, fleece or down jackets for insulation
Lunches/Snacks
We will share the detailed packing list before the trip.
