High Divide Loop

The High Divide Loop begins and ends at Sol Duc Trailhead in the northwest corner of Olympic National Park. Follow the Sol Duc Falls Trail south from the trailhead for 0.8 miles to Sol Duc Falls. At the falls, turn right onto the Deer Lake Trail. Climb through old-growth forest and transitional subalpine terrain to the north end of Deer Lake at 3.3 miles. Keep left around Deer Lake, turning left again onto the High Divide Trail at 3.5 miles. Continue south from Deer Lake, ascending to the intersection with Lunch Lake Trail at 6.7 miles. Keep right to stay on the High Divide Trail. The route follows the exposed ridge crest east. At 7.5 miles keep left, traversing the flanks of Bogachiel Peak and reaching the high point at approximately 5,466'. The ridge carries broad southward views across the Hoh River valley toward Mount Olympus. Continue east and re-join the High Divide Trail at 7.7 miles. At the Cat Basin junction around 9.5 miles, turn left and descend into the basin, passing Heart Lake. From Heart Lake at approximately 9.9 miles, turn right onto the Sol Duc River Trail. Descend through old-growth forest, passing Sol Duc Park and a series of primitive riverside camps. Pass the Appleton Pass Trail junction on the right at 12.8 miles and continue straight on the Sol Duc River Trail. Upon reaching Sol Duc Falls and the Deer Lake Trail junction at 16.7 miles, turn right to return to the trailhead.