Seven Lakes Basin, Hoh River-Five Mile Island, Hoh Lake, High Divide

We hiked 40 miles from the Hoh River trailhead past the Olympus Guard Station, up to Hoh Lake, and then up to the High Divide and into the Seven Lakes Basin, before returning. The trail was in good condition and snow free except for a 15' strip of easily passable snow in the Seven Lakes Basin just prior to the lakes.

On day 1, started out at the Hoh River trailhead and hiked in 9 miles to the Olympus Guard Station. There were few flowers left, but many red huckleberries, and a few blueberries and black cap raspberries.

On day 2, left Olympus Guard Station and hiked 6.5 miles up to Hoh Lake. The first section is a difficult climb, with many red huckleberries to help sustain you. On a ridge about half way, there were some very nice western tea berries. CB Flats was a riotous mess of wildflowers. Hoh Lake was surrounded by many flowers. There were two active bears on the upper slopes on the north side of the lake, four deer, a marmot colony on the east side of the lake, and a river otter enjoying the lake's trout. The ranger was fond of the campsite's composting toilet, but be aware that the maggots enjoy it too, and you'll need to wipe the seat clean of them before sitting.

On day 3, went 3.5 miles or so from Hoh Lake to the High Divide trail and into the Seven Lakes Basin (1000' up, and then 1000' down), camping at Lunch Lake. My favorite part of our trip was the ridgeline between Hoh Lake and the High Divide trail. The flowers and views were great, the dwarf blueberries were delicious, there was another marmot colony downhill to the east and a bear downhill to the west, and a flock of ravens above. Lunch Lake itself had very few flowers, but had a marmot colony on the south side of the lake, and three deer that were active in the area, coming within 10 feet of me during the day and visiting our campsite later that night. Lunch Lake was cold, but warm enough to swim in.

After arriving at the lake, we took the side trail 250' down to Clear Lake, which was not very interesting. Then we took another side trail to see the Y lakes, which was much more interesting, with a series of lakes carved out of stone, and very little vegetation. One of them had frogs.

On day 4, we did the 19 mile exit from Lunch Lake to the Hoh River trailhead. That was a long day. On the ridge between the High Divide and Hoh Lake, there was a hawk circling above, trying to get the marmots before eventually giving up. We saw a baby marmot in addition to the usual adults. Saw a bear again at Hoh Lake. Down in the Hoh River valley, saw a rabbit at mile 7. A downpour started soon thereafter, which brought out some more of the wildlife. At the shelter at Happy Four, a juvenile coyote slunk upon our arrival and waited on the hill nearby for us to leave. It was the cutest thing ever. A bit later, douglas squirrel tried to steal our jerky. At mile 2 or 3, a grouse ran across the trail in front of us.