High Divide, Crossover & High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop — Saturday, Jul. 26, 2003

Olympic Peninsula > Northern Coast

Got started up the Sol Duc at 5:40 AM for a pleasant climb in the shade up to Appleton Pass. No bugs, no snow, trail in perfect shape. At the top I passed lots of campers near Oyster Lake as I walked east on the Cat Basin route, which is really a very distinct trail in places. The path disappears in the avalanche lily carpeted meadows but is easy to pick up at the pass between Schoeffel Creek and the Sol Duc. The route, which is now a trail, descends through woods on the Sol Duc side, and then climbs to a pass overlooking Cat Creek. Fine views are the rule as the trail contours southwest through open meadows on the ridge high above Cat Creek. Finally Cat Basin came into view and I opted to contour across a rockslide to Swimming Bear Lake instead of dropping way, way down to Cat Basin. One other party was at the lake, just beginning their weeklong trip into the Bailey Range. After filtering some water and a bite I left Swimming Bear, heading south on the trail to the High Divide. It was a hot, sweaty climb from Heart Lake basin to the High Divide with no water available except at a tarn near the top. The views, wildflowers, green meadows, and an occasional cool breeze made for a very pleasant walk heading for Dear Lake, although the forest shade was welcome as I descended from the divide. After a buggy stop at the lake for water, I walked the final 3.8 miles to the trailhead, getting out at 5:50 PM. No snow or technical difficulties were encountered on the entire 24-mile loop. This has got to be one of the finest walks in the Olympics, well worth getting up at 3:00 AM for the early start.