TLDR:
- 3d/2n backpack, wonderful diversity of scenery with the highlight being the ridge line walk and panoramic views
- road: paved, large parking lot but busy given day-hikers
- wildflowers: many (tiger and avalanche lilies, pink mountain heather, paintbrush, bear grass, and more)
- wildlife: goats, deer, bears (2 seen by other groups)
- bugs: annoying at Sol Duc Park and Deer Lake
- snow: some patches along the ridge line but nothing that interferes with hiking
trailhead -->Sol Duc park ~8 miles, mostly hiking through rain forest, initially along the river. The trail climbs slowly until the last couple miles when you gain more elevation. Sol Duc Park had a handful of campsites (all marked) and one group site. We camped in a large site by the little water fall with plenty of space for 2 tents and 4 hammocks. There was a decent breeze but bugs were present, increasingly toward dusk (not surprising given some stagnant water nearby). There was a little rocky outcropping we climbed up to and watched the sunset with fewer bugs. It was colder than we anticipated at night, might bring a layer beyond what you think you need. There was a mama goat and kid as well as several deer at the campsite.
Sol Duc Park--> Deer Lake (~8 miles), Stunning hike up to Heart Lake (where the campsites looked extremely scenic and hiking the bugs weren't an issue) and from there up to the ridge line. Several groups ahead of us saw 2 bears along the ridge line section but they had moved along by the time we passed through. The ridge line portion of this hike is transcendently stunning on a clear day. On one side Mt Olympus and the Hoh River Valley stretch expansively, and on the clear day we had we could even make out climbers on Mt Olympus. The Seven Lakes Basin side also draws your attention with cascading mountains and dotted lakes coming into view around every turn. There was some snow around the Seven Lakes basin (a tiny patch we walked across with now difficulty). The hike down to Deer Lake is a gradual descent with decreasing views- notable for the avalanche section which is felt like unsettling like walking over large pieces of broken Earth (no navigational or technical difficulties). Deer Lake has several campsites spread out around the lake and up the hill. Bugs were ok while there was a breeze and then very annoying without it.
Deer Lake --> Trailhead ~3 miles of steady descent on rocky or tree-root laden ground (definitely need to watch where you step here)
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