Seven Lakes Gear Checklist
The Seven Lakes Basin loop out of Sol Duc is a rain-forest climb to an open ridge, with camps at a handful of named lakes and parks. Three rules shape the pack: a bear canister at every camp in the area, a stove instead of a fire above 3,500 feet, and a filter because the ridge between Heart Lake and Deer Lake has little water. Hikers who wrote about it add bug protection, a rain kit that survives a wet night, and shade for the exposed stretch.
What shapes your gear on Seven Lakes Basin
- Size of the loop
- The park lists the loop at 18.2 miles with 3,050 feet gained, best from mid-July through September. A guide-style blog gives 19.1 miles and 5,387 feet of elevation change, and a 2017 hiker logged 19.0 miles.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin), Bearfoot Theory and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017)
- Camps
- Four camp areas anchor the loop: Deer Lake, Heart Lake, Lunch Lake and Sol Duc Park. Each has multiple sites and a vault toilet. A 0.5 mile side trail leads to Lunch Lake. Sites are designated, and the park says those above 3,500 feet get heavy use.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin)
- Water
- Water comes from the Sol Duc River, side streams and the lakes. The park adds that the stretch between Heart Lake and Deer Lake has few campsites and little water. A 2017 hiker found no water along the exposed ridge before Heart Lake. A June 2026 hiker found water the whole way.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin), Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017) and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, June 2026)
- Snow
- The park says snow stays on the trail until early to mid-July. A mid-June 2026 hiker met only small patches near the top. An August 2017 hiker crossed some snow patches that were easy to cross.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin), Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, June 2026) and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017)
- Wildlife on the route
- The park calls elk and bear sightings common in the basin. A late-September group saw four black bears eating berries on the hillside and said they paid the hikers no attention. A 2017 ranger said a bear had been hanging around Deer Lake, and that hiker saw only deer and marmots.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin), Bearfoot Theory and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017)
What the agency requires on Seven Lakes Basin
A wilderness camping permit for a designated site
Every overnight stay in the backcountry needs a Wilderness Camping Permit. In this area permits are limited all year, the park recommends reserving early on Recreation.gov, and you camp only in designated sites. Groups of 7 to 12 people must use the designated group sites.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations and Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin)
A park-approved bear canister
All food, garbage and scented items in the Sol Duc, High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin area must be stored in park-approved bear canisters, at all the camps along the loop and on the spurs the park lists.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) and Olympic National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
A stove that is not wood-burning, for camps above 3,500 feet
Campfires are prohibited above 3,500 feet, and wood-burning camp stoves are allowed below that elevation only. Most of the loop's camp areas sit above it, so cook on a gas or liquid-fuel stove.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) and Olympic National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
Water treatment
The park says to boil, filter or chemically treat all drinking water to prevent Giardia.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin)
What hikers carry on Seven Lakes Basin
A bear canister you secured before the trailhead
A 2017 couple called ahead and heard that the permit office always runs out, so they bought one, then saw plenty on the shelf that morning. The ranger told them hanging food is not acceptable. A group guide says the Port Angeles Wilderness Information Center has a limited number to borrow,. The same author says the model she chose easily holds one to three days of food.
Check the loan situation by phone, then decide.
From Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017) and Bearfoot Theory
Rain gear and a pack liner
A late-September group got rain all night on the second evening and walked out in the wet the next morning. They lined their packs with trash bags, kept spare dry socks, and said good rain gear matters most on the peninsula. The same author notes that gear does not dry out in damp air, so what gets soaked on day one stays wet.
From Bearfoot Theory
Insulating gloves for cold rain
The group that hiked in late September carried gloves that stay warm when wet, for hands that go numb in a cold shower.
From Bearfoot Theory
Bug spray and a head net, or a screened shelter
A mid-June 2026 hiker found the bugs tolerable and still told readers to pack both. An August 2017 pair counted a lot of insects and set up a mosquito tent as a safe zone at camp. Another writer says biting flies and mosquitoes crowd the lakes in warm months, and a guide says May and June can be worse.
From Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, June 2026), Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017), The Outbound and Bearfoot Theory
A filter and enough carrying capacity for the ridge
The park warns of little water between Heart Lake and Deer Lake. In 2017 a hiker found none along the open ridge until Heart Lake. In June 2026 a hiker found water everywhere and walked light on the strength of a filter.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin), Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017) and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, June 2026)
Sun protection for the ridge walk
The 2017 pair found the High Divide exposed with no breeze and described a sweaty crossing in August. Smoke from wildfires hid the far views.
From Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017)
An ice axe, only for an early trip
The park recommends an ice axe and self-arrest skills when steep slopes are snow-covered, and a route guide repeats it. In mid-June 2026 a hiker needed none because only small patches remained.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin), The Outbound and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, June 2026)
A paper map
The 2017 hikers found the trails and camps clearly marked, but still used a map to follow them. The late-September group suggests a printed park map.
From Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017) and Bearfoot Theory
12 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on Seven Lakes Basin
A rope to hang food
The ranger who issued a 2017 permit said canisters are a must and hanging is not allowed. The park's rule covers all food, garbage and scented items.
From Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017) and Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin)
A wood-burning stove or firewood
Campfires are banned above 3,500 feet and wood-burning stoves are limited to lower ground, which rules them out at most of the loop's camps.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) and Olympic National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
A dog
Pets are not permitted on park trails or in any undeveloped part of the park, and the guide post lists dogs as not allowed.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations and Bearfoot Theory
Hopes of solitude at a waterfront camp
The 2017 hikers say the area is busy, found few waterfront sites at Deer Lake and saw the neighboring campers around the creek at Sol Duc Park. They still called the trip worth it.
From Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017)
Gear questions for Seven Lakes Basin
Do I need a bear canister for the Seven Lakes Basin loop?
Yes. The park requires approved canisters for all food, garbage and scented items at the camps in the Sol Duc, High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin area. A hiker in 2017 was told by a ranger that hanging food is not accepted.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017)
Can you have a campfire in Seven Lakes Basin?
Not above 3,500 feet. The park prohibits campfires there and allows wood-burning stoves only below that elevation, so bring a gas stove.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) and Olympic National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations
Is there water on the Seven Lakes Basin loop?
Yes, from the river, streams and lakes, and all of it needs treating. The stretch between Heart Lake and Deer Lake has little water, and a 2017 hiker found none on the open ridge before Heart Lake.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017)
When does the snow melt out in Seven Lakes Basin?
The park says snow persists until early to mid-July, with mid-July through September the best season. One hiker met only small patches in mid-June 2026.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) and Washington Trails Association: High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, June 2026)
Do I need a permit to camp in Seven Lakes Basin?
Yes. Every overnight in the backcountry needs a wilderness camping permit, and sites in this area are designated and limited all year. The park recommends reserving early on Recreation.gov.
From Olympic National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations and Olympic National Park (NPS): High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin)
Sources
- High Divide Loop (7 Lakes Basin) · Olympic National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Wilderness Regulations · Olympic National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Backpacking the High Divide Trail (Seven Lakes Basin Loop) in Olympic National Park · Bearfoot Theory, Kristen Bor · Blog
- High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, August 2017) · Washington Trails Association, alpinediva · Trip report
- High Divide - Seven Lakes Basin Loop (trip report, June 2026) · Washington Trails Association, tinyhousebigwoods · Trip report
- High Divide and 7 Lakes Basin · The Outbound, Nick Lake · Blog