The trail was in awesome shape, and the fall colors were absolutely gorgeous! There were tons of ripe huckleberries along the way, and they smelled so sweet in the sun. We had perfect weather, with lows only dropping to the mid 40s, which made for a comfortable night.

We camped at Lunch Lake for the night. I didn’t see any bears, but I heard from other hikers that they spotted them at Round Lake and Heart Lake. 

The views from the High Divide are incredible, especially of Mt. Olympus and Mt. Tom. I’d recommend hiking the loop counterclockwise; the descent along the Sol Duc River Trail was easy and really enjoyable.

Arrived on a very wet and rainy Saturday around 11 am. Parking lot was completely full and people parking along road in. Very, very crowded hike.

Trail in is flat and wide. Lots of old growth and big trees. Lots of moss and old mans beard. Cool hike. Saw the biggest chicken-of-the-woods I've ever seen (and seemingly brightest!) about 40' up on a large snag.

About 0.1 miles from the falls there is an old historic shelter. Very neat seeing this. I love seeing old buildings deep and buried in the forest, so this might have been cooler than the falls to me. Loved they had a description on it too.

The falls were really cool. You cross a bridge right over them so you can see them up close and from multiple angles. The thing that struck me most about these falls is the straight and deep chasm they have carved. It almost looks man-made it is so straight. I just saw the new Alien movie so it's on my mind, and it reminds me of the quote from Prometheus: "God doesn't build in straight lines."

Lots of crowds on this one so I'd avoid (or press on past the crowds along the loop) if you don't want to deal with people.

Wet one today! Jacket wet out fast! A taste of the seasons to come... I'm not ready for it haha.

Happy Trails!

14aug2024 ~06:00 "break camp" at Klahowya Campground, ~06:35, i arrived at the Sol Duc Trails parking. It was ~50% full. (and it was full when i got back at ~14:00 .. noticed a few vehicles coming in, a few leaving).

~06:50 i went (CW): Parking > Sol Duc Falls > Deer Lake > Mink Lake > Parking
< Sol Duc Nature Trail > Deer Lake Trail > Little Divide Trail > Mink Lake Trail > Sol Duc Hot Springs Road >

On Deer Lake Trail, encountered a pair of Dayhikers who were doing the High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (~20+ miles) 😅👍

At/around Deer Lake, saw a total of ~5 people; 1 of whom were practising Yoga in a clearing. 👍

On the Little Divide Trail, encountered a family of 4 (Dad & Mom and their 2 children) - they were doing a 3 x 1-week Backpacking "Loops" in Sol Duc. 😅👍👍👍

While descending Mink Lake, encountered a Backpacker who's going to Deer Lake. Further along, encountered a total of ~5 people coming UP.

w.r.the Warning of Cougar - i only met a young bunny (??) <Length ~8" length Nose -to- Back >

Everyone, including the bunny was nice and friendly 👍😀 And i am very thankful for the peace and sweet solitude on-the-trail.

Happy Trails Everyone 🙃

Perhaps, "interestingly", some differences in (my) Alltrails and GaiaGPS Stats ..
AllTrails: Distance 14.9 mi / EG 3,717 ft / Moving Time 7:00 / Stopped Time 0:06
whereas
GaiaGPS: Distance 14.4 mi / Ascent 2,410 (-2707) ft / Moving Time 6:47 / Stopped Time 0:19 ..

Three day / two night ~24 mile trip from Sol Duc trailhead to Appleton Pass, Spread Eagle Pass, Swimming Bear Lake, High Divide, Seven Lakes Basin, and out via Deer Lake and Sol Duc Falls (clockwise loop).

Very late summer conditions; no snow encountered, wild flowers mostly gone or dried up. Heather was all brown. Very few paintbrush or lupine or arnica. Almost no running water to be found. Blueberries and huckleberries were ripe, however, making for slow progress.

Met a party of PNWT hikers at Appleton Pass who seemed stunned at the elevation gained and didn't seem to know they would need to drop 2,000 feet only to climb 3,000 more feet to Heart Lake. Also didn't know that Oyster Lake would be their drinking water.

The 'stream' just before Spread Eagle is about dried up. I managed to squeeze my filter bag into the defile where a trickle was still dripping but I'd guess by this date it's probably gone. There was no running water to retrieve after leaving the Sol Duc River trail ~mile 4 or so until descending from Deer Lake two days later. Prepare to drink from lakes and ponds.

Hammocked along the route the first night. There were thousands of grasshoppers jumping along the Cat Primitive Trail starting at Spread Eagle. Some bears foraging the slopes about 1,000 feet below the trail. Not a single goat in sight. No issues following this route; it's in better condition than some official trails in Olympic.

Camped at Clear Lake the second night, which was not very nice; set in a deep forested hole. The flies and mosquitoes were terrible. But it was a good swim. A deer kept me company near dusk so I guarded my sweaty clothes and gear.

Exit from Lunch Lake is steep and once at the notch I made the mistake of following the lower trail into the boulder field and had some class 2 "fun". Stay far left and head up hill (even though in your mind you need to head right and downhill). The trail is easily found on the south end of the boulder bowl.

The trailhead was packed arriving at 2:00 pm. This trail is in Olympic National Park so you will need a park pass. A short walk down a very beautiful but busy trail and you will find a Shelter then an amazing set of Falls cascading into a unique canyon type flume. Nothing typical about this one. the word spectacular comes to me first, then awesome and wondering how this was formed. So glad to have finally come to see it. The shelter is a log cabin with no doors. Not sure what the story is on it. This is definitely worth coming to see if visiting the peninsula.  Took a soak in the hot springs. they were so relaxing after hiking Storm King earlier. The Sol Duc Falls and hot springs are just West of Lake Crescent as your heading up the hill on your left about a mile or so. Lots more hikes up there too! Day hikes and overnight hikes. Already planning my next visit.