MINK LAKE TRAIL

Length 4.3 mi/6.0 km 
Access Soleduck River Road 
USGS Map Bogachiel Peak 
Agency Olympic National Park

This route begins at Sol Due Hot Springs (1679 ft/512 m) on the Soleduck River 
Road and climbs past Mink Lake to Little Divide, the watershed between the 
Soleduck and Bogachiel Rivers. This ridge is lower than the High Divide, which 
lies between the Soleduck and the Hoh. At times it is erroneously called Low 
Divide, the name of the pass between the Elwha and the Quinault. One should 
carry water because it is not available between the hot springs and Mink Lake.

The first half-mile traverses second-growth fir and hemlock growing on land 
logged during development of the hot springs. The path then enters the virgin 
forest. As the trail climbs higher, the Douglas-firs disappear and hemlock becomes 
the dominant species. The undergrowth is largely huckleberry.

Mink Lake (2.5 mi/4.0 km; 3080 ft/939 m) is a good example of a lake that is 
slowly destroying itself. Bordered by forest and half-choked with vegetation, 
it is in the late stages of lacustrine evolution. The lake contains Eastern brook 
and rainbow trout. Bird life is abundant, and the camper who stays here is likely 
to be awakened before dawn by the weird call of the loon.

Above Mink Lake the trail goes by a marsh known as Intermittent Lake, which is 
slightly larger than Mink Lake. The trail then climbs into the Subalpine Zone, 
where it crosses several brooks as it traverses forests of hemlock and silver fir, 
and a dense under story of huckleberry. During the last mile, the route switchbacks 
up through stands of mountain hemlock broken by patches of meadowland.

The trail ends where it intersects the Bogachiel Trail at Little Divide (4.3 mi/ 
6.9 km; 4130 ft/1259 m). The tiny meadow here, overgrown with bracken fern, 
lupine, and wild strawberries, has a good view of several peaks. On warm summer 
days, when the meadow is bright with lupine, bumblebees buzz from bush to bush.