Bogachiel Peak Loop
Overview
This is a difficult loop trail to Bogachiel Peak in Olympic National Park. It is a grueling day hike or a nice backpacking loop.
This trail goes by Sol Duc Falls, Deer Lake, Heron Pond, Heart Lake, Heart Lake Camp, and Upper Solduct.
Getting Started
This loop is for serious hikers/backpackers only as it does a cumulative 5000 ft of elevation over 18 miles. This hike has it all, from dense forest with creeks and old growth to high alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and spectacular views. People love this trail but so do animals and insects. Come prepared with bug and bear spray, just in case.
Starting from the Sol Duc Trail head going clockwise you'll make your way through the dense forest on a gentle uphill slope. The trail gradually becomes more steep and around 8 miles in you'll begin to emerge into the alpine meadows scattered with lakes. You'll pass heart lake and then ascend to one of the coolest parts of the trail known as the high divide. The high divide has sweeping views of the surrounding mountains including Mount Olympus. You'll stay on the ridge line for quite some time, when you reach the turn for lunch lake you'll begin to descend back down. Lunch lake is a 1.5 - 2 mile detour from the main loop and well worth it, however be warned the mosquitoes really can be quite pestering here and you'll definitely want bug spray. Deer lake is the last of the lakes you will encounter before continuing the descent back to the trail head. When you are about 1 mile from the trail head you will reach Sol Duc Falls, a great reward for the loop you just completed. From here its an easy mile back to the trail head.
If you're interested in backpacking, use this map to find your Backpacking Campsites. It can be hard to find information on how far some are from the trailhead (ie. if #1 or #4 comes closest to the trailhead). Campsites in order, from Sol Duc Trailhead going clockwise is as follows:
Sol Duc River #1, Sol Duc River #2, Sol Duc River #3, Sol Duc River #4, Appleton Junction, Rocky Creek, 7 mile group camp, Upper Sol Duc Bridge, Horsehead Stock Camp, Sol Duc Park, Heart Lake, Hoh Lake, Lunch Lake, Deer Lake, Canyon Creek #3, Canyon Creek #2, Canyon Creek #1, Sol Duc Falls
To get a backpacking permit, you can make reservations up to 6 months in advance or by walk up on a first come first serve basis from the WIC.
See more information on WTA: Seven Lakes Basin
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
stars
Public Tracks
