Cat Basin Appleton Pass Way Trail

From Swimming Bear Lake, the Cat Basin Appleton Pass Way Trail heads northeast across scrubby open slopes, no shade here! After some initial hiking on level ground, head steeply uphill through large rocky talus patches and snow fields. This is challenging work! Turn sharply north to contour below a looming ridgeline on the less steep terrain. Keep ascending through sparse trees and rocky slopes to gain the ridge. Enjoy the views from here before descending abruptly into the valley that forms the headwaters of the Sol Duc River. Climb back up to the ridge and arrive at Appleton Pass and gape at the vertical relief all around you (High Divide, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Carrie, Mt. Appleton).