anyone ever hike the Seven Lakes Basin l oop in ONP

“Looking for info on this loop. Looks to be about 18 miles and incredibly beautiful.”

“http://www.closertonature.com/maps/olympic-park-map.gif

We hiked the east part of the loop passing Hart Lake and along the High Divide Trail coming out at Sol Duc.
Our last night was at the car camping ground near the hot springs.
We saw some of the lakes and it is quite nice.”

“Its very nice, Earth, you'll like it. 18 miles round trip sounds about right. You have to visit Sol Duc hot springs when you are done, for a wonderful dip in the hot water. Plan on it. At the high point you get a view of the Olympic Range, with big glaciers and looking very impressive.”

“Earth: this is the view from the high divide, looking across the big river valley to the Olympic Range. Your view might not be as good as mine was, however.

”

“that is a nice view. Very nice indeed. ;)

thanks for the info. I am hoping to dayhike the loop this summer if at all possible. It will be after climbing Mt. Rainier, so we shall see.”

“A dayhike would be possible, but you might be stiff as a board after climbing Rainier, unless you have a few days to recuperate. Its also a long drive to Sol Duc, so you'll have to spend the night there in order to get an early start, and spend another night there when you get back late. 18 miles in a day should be doable. The elevation gain isn't that much. I'd camp at the campground, take in the hot springs, and have dinner at the cafe if you get back in time.”

“I arrive in Seattle the night of July 13th. I think others will arrive the 14th. So I'll probably spend some time in Seattle the night of the 13th and some of the 14th.
The night of the 14th, I want to be in Rainier National Park.
my plan is to climb Rainier July 15-17. Head over to Olympic the 18th and find a place to car cap, probably at the Hot Springs campground. The 18th will be a resting day as well. I'd like to do the dayhike on the 19th and then camp that night as well in Hot Springs. The 20th, I might hang out in ONP during the morning and then head over to Seattle to check out the city for a little.
I head back east on the 21st.”

“That could work, but be in great shape for Rainier. How old are you? Its a lot easier to climb when you are young.”

“29.. I'll be 30 when I climb Rainier. I backpack and hike almost every weekend and this year I plan on an agressive hiking schedule and exercise regiment leading up to Rainier. I can't wait. This will be the biggest trip of my life. I am really excited.

I'd still like to come out to Idaho sometime and climb Borah Peak with you.
last edited: 12/29/06 3:57:19 PM”

“You name the date and I'll see if I can get in shape to halfway keep up with you on Borah.

Are you going to use the RMI guides on Rainier?”

“yeah, RMI.”

“RMI will get you up safely, if you are fit. If you can't keep up the pace, they drop you. Just be fitter than you have ever been in your life.”

“Takin' a break on the High Divide, August 2000.

”

“I got better legs, baby!”