In the northwest corner of the Olympic National Park, there’s a gem of a hike called the High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop, 19 miles with views stretching from the glaciated peak of Mt. Olympus down into the depths of the Hoh river valley.

high divide loop map

Back in 2016, I did the loop as a 3 day backpacking trip. Enough day-hikers blew past me on the trail that I was inspired to want to try to do the loop in a single day. This was the year that Jen helped me make it happen.

I got on the trail at the leasurely hour of 9am and was back at my car at 6pm. It’s definitely possible to do it faster. I chatted with a couple wearing trail-running jerseys and an Ironman cap on the way up. Once the trail opened up, I saw them in the distance way up ahead then didn’t see them again. No doubt, they were showered and halfway through dinner by the time I got off the trail.

Trailhead map

high divide loop map

Trail section overlooking the Bogachiel river valley

high divide loop map

Mt. Olympus and glaciers

high divide loop map

Back at the trailhead

high divide loop map

Logistical notes:

  • You can get a fat breakfast bright and early at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort about 15 minutes from the trailhead.

  • I started with 4 liters of liquids, which is heavy. If you have a filter, there’s plenty of running water between the trailhead and Deer Lake, and from Heart Lake onward. Don’t run dry up on the ridge, or you’ll have to drop down into 7-lakes basin.