Forum Index > Trip Reports > "High Ridge Seven Lakes Loop Hike?" (not actually sure what it's called, heh)
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Location: bellevue
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PostSun Aug 15, 2021 11:35 am 
EJohnson suggested this one and I jumped on, eager to see some new trail further west. Yeah, I'm not sure of the exact name, but it's out on the peninsula, past Port Angeles, and it's about 18-19 miles long. As most hikes of this kind do, it starts out a little boring till you gain some altitude, then things open up and you get some fantastic views as you move along a high, lake-studded ridge--a camper's paradise if you're the overnight type. The air was slightly hazy due to wildfire smoke, but not too bad; the heat slowed me down a bit on the ridge itself, but the loop went pretty quick. Some snaps...
Gain the ridge via a fun, low-agled set of switches...
Gain the ridge via a fun, low-agled set of switches...
The inevitable weekend conga lines...
The inevitable weekend conga lines...
Unusually large black bear followed the trail for 1/3 mile before ambling off to forage.
Unusually large black bear followed the trail for 1/3 mile before ambling off to forage.
Olympus through the haze...
Olympus through the haze...
From the ridgetop...
From the ridgetop...
...same, zoomed.
...same, zoomed.
Once you get high, the traverse is flatish, on a very well constructed and maintained pathway.
Once you get high, the traverse is flatish, on a very well constructed and maintained pathway.
I didn't really appreciate EJ's overnight solo of Olympus till I saw the thing up close--it's a real prize!
I didn't really appreciate EJ's overnight solo of Olympus till I saw the thing up close--it's a real prize!
Happy strolling across the broad ridge...
Happy strolling across the broad ridge...
If you do decide to camp, you're spoiled for choice, lake-wise.
If you do decide to camp, you're spoiled for choice, lake-wise.
This should be a great one to repeat in Fall, just before the snow flies.
This should be a great one to repeat in Fall, just before the snow flies.
Heart Lake, basically the ridge terminus.  After this, plunge down into the cool, shaded forest for a very pretty few miles back to the trailhead.  Excellent day in the hills!
Heart Lake, basically the ridge terminus. After this, plunge down into the cool, shaded forest for a very pretty few miles back to the trailhead. Excellent day in the hills!
I prolly won't hike again for a while, though...we just got our street re-paved!  Weeeeeee! :dizzy:
I prolly won't hike again for a while, though...we just got our street re-paved! Weeeeeee! dizzy.gif

jaysway, reststep, RichP, bobbi, awilsondc, Tom
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bobbi
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Joined: 13 Jul 2006
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Location: olympics!
bobbi
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PostSun Aug 15, 2021 5:08 pm 
Seven Lakes Basin Loop, Sol Duc Loop, High Divide glad you visited ONP and even saw a bear! I spent 2 nights at Hoh Lake, one night at Heart last week. five bears for me! love 'em!

bobbi ૐ "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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neek
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PostSun Aug 15, 2021 10:45 pm 
Cool, that might have been my first backpacking trip in WA. Nice bear pic!

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Waterman
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PostMon Aug 16, 2021 8:15 am 
Like walking through a calendar during wild flower season. That ridge walk is one of my favorite places.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost
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Forum Index > Trip Reports > "High Ridge Seven Lakes Loop Hike?" (not actually sure what it's called, heh)
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