Mink Lake Trail

Mink Lake

NPS Stu Curtain

Notices
Description
Trail Conditions
Camping
Special Concerns
Safety
Map
Photos

 

Notices:

• All food, garbage, and scented items must be stored in park-approved bear canisters in the entire Sol Duc/High Divide Loop area including all camps adjacent to and enclosed by the Deer Lake Trail, High Divide Trail, and Sol Duc River Trail (High Divide Loop), and adjacent camps along the Mink Lake Trail, East High Divide Trail, and Cat Basin area.
• Permits are limited year round. Early reservations are recommended for trips between May 1 and September 30. For the most up to date information on obtaining a Wilderness Permit click here.
• Groups of 7-12 people must camp in designated Group Sites. See Below.
• Snow often persists on this trail until early to mid-July. When the trail is snow-covered, ice axe and expert self-arrest skills are recommended for steep snow slopes as well as expert route-finding skills.

 

Description

Ecosystem type: Old-growth forest, subalpine meadow, subalpine lake basin, montane forest
Trail tread types: Well-maintained
General elevation trend: Moderate
River crossings: None
Unique features: Meadows, old-growth forests
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 2.6 miles to Mink Lake, 8 miles to Deer Lake, 11 miles for the loop
Elevation change: 1,100 to 4,130 feet
Best Season: Mid-June through September for Mink Lake, mid-July through September for Little Divide

 

Camping

Permits/Reservations: Camping permits are limited year round. Early reservations recommended for trips between May 1 and September 30. Check out our Wilderness Reservations Page for more information.
Food Storage Method: All food, garbage, and scented items must be stored in approved bear canisters 24 hours day in the entire Sol Duc/High Divide Loop/Mink Lake area including all camps adjacent to and enclosed by the Deer Lake Trail, High Divide Trail, and Sol Duc River Trail (High Divide Loop), and adjacent camps along the Mink Lake Trail, East High Divide Trail, and Cat Basin area.
Location and sites: Mink Lake and a few small sites along Little Divide. Camping limits are in place for all areas in the Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin, Cat Basin, Mink Lake, Little Divide and Hoh Lake/C.B Flats. Camping is in designated sites only. Group sites are located at Sevenmile Camp, Sol Duc Park, Deer Lake, and at C.B. Flats along the Hoh Lake Trail.
Toilet Facilities: No toilets in this area. Urinate on rocks or on the trail at least 200 feet from campsites and water sources. This prevents deer and goats from pulling up plants to get at the salt in urine. Always bury solid waste 6-8" deep and 200 feet from campsites and water sources.
Water Sources: Various streams. Always boil, filter, or chemically treat your drinking water to prevent getting Giardia.
Stock: Camp only in designated stock sites at Horsehead and Deer Lake (llamas only).

 

Special Concerns

Leave No Trace: Practice Leave No Trace during your stay to protect the resource and vegetation. Stay on established trails and camp in designated sites only. Avoid walking on or setting gear on vegetation next to campsites or trails.
Campifires: Campfires are prohibited above 3,500 feet. Where fires are allowed, leave no trace of your fire. Burn dead and down wood only.
Respect Wildlife: To protect bears and other wildlife, all food, garbage, and scented items must be secured from all wildlife 24 hours a day. Bear canisters are required in this area.

Safety

• The steep slopes of High Divide can remain snow/ice covered until mid-July and sometimes later. An ice axe and expert self-arrest skills are usually necessary to travel around Bogachiel Peak, along High Divide, and into the basin when these areas are snow-covered.
• Always be prepared for cool, wet weather.

 

View from Little Divide

NPS Scott Kinghorn