Tag: High Divide

Hike to Heart Lake

Trail to Heart Lake

One of the most heavily hiked trails in the Olympic National Park is the High Divide trail. The High Divide is a section of the ridge between the Sol Duc and Hoh Rivers. Overnight reservation permits are required and get booked up months in advance.

The first section of the High Divide loop follows the Sol Duc River Trail and then heads up along Bridge Creek (which is not easily accessible at most locations). The image above shows the trail climbing from Sol Duc Park to Heart Lake (shown below). I have hiked the trail to Heart Lake several times without continuing along the rest of the High Divide loop. The reasons to do so usually involve weather … or, early in the season) lots of snow left on the ridgeline.

Looking down on Heart Lake
Stream feeding Bridge Creek on the climb to Heart Lake

The trail to Heart Lake climbs up into and through some of the finest samples of mountain meadows in the Olympics. (see above) There are many small streams, keeping the flowers well watered and providing a water source for thirsty hikers.

On the return, it is worth the short side trip to Sol Duc Falls (shown below).

Sol Duc Falls
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Upper Hoh Lake Trail

Upper Hoh Lake Trail

The Hoh Lake Trail runs from the Hoh River Trail (the primary access to those climbing Mt Olympus) up past Hoh Lake and on to connect with the High Divide loop at Bogachiel Pass (Olympic National Park). We were camped in Seven Lakes Basin and took a day trip down to Hoh Lake. This was the trail near the top. I was concerned about the clouds … often an indication that the weather is changing … but it stayed clear for the rest of our hike.

On the return hike, I was rounding a rock spur and found myself about 6 feet from a black bear. We were both startled … I’m not sure who was more surprised. But the bear had quicker reflexes and was off the trail and down in the brush and trees before I could even think about raising my camera.

(another image from my Archive folder)

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Mist in the High Country

Mist in the High Country

This is cloud/fog coming up the Hoh River valley and across the High Divide in the Olympic National Park. In the winter the snow cover is extensive … helping to reduce the amount of understory. This is near Cat Basin, close to Heart Lake … and sits about 5000′ (1524 m). It is beautiful country and one of the most heavily visited areas in the park. (unlike the previous post) Reservations are required for backcountry visitors … the loop runs up the Sol Duc river valley, then climbs up to the high country, along a ridge, then drops back down to the valley and the return to the trailhead.

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Cloudscape

Cloudscape

Mare’s Tail over Bogachiel Peak and the High Divide (Olympic National Park)

A wide angle lens often creates distortion that is distracting or makes the image feel un-natural. In this case, while there is some “leaning” of the trees on the sides of the image … the distortion actually results in a realistic representation of the steepness of the hillside.

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Looking Towards Cat Peak and Mt Carrie

Looking Towards Cat Peak and Mt Carrie

This shot was taken along the Cat Basin Way Trail. It is hard to spot the two different peaks, Cat Peak is lower and is sitting directly in front of Mt Carrie. This is a spur trail off the High Divide Trail in the Olympic National Park …. it runs across the ridge to access Cat Basin and the northern access to the Bailey Range backcountry.

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