Seven Lakes Basin

 Wow!  We had a fabulous backpacking trip up the Sol Duc valley to Seven Lakes Basin.  While the boys stayed with generous babysitters, Anton, Carly, Monica, and I headed out for our big adventure.  But first, we had Fun on the Ferry:

Fun on the Ferry must include apple Fritters:

After a few stops along the way we were ready to hike.  Ready set go!

Carly usually took the lead with Monica right at her heels.  Anton I huffed along behind.  I call this picture "Speedy Hiker and Speedy Junior."

Monica got to carry the trail pass.  :)

First we passed beautiful Sol Duc Falls.  We have a huge poster of this in our dining room, but the real life view is a million times better!

We hiked about 3 1/2 miles up to Deer Lake, where we camped for two nights.

We got a perfect campsite with plenty of room for two tents.

Cooking dinner the first night. 

Yum!  Pizza rice!

Anton in his wool sweater, fleece jeter hat, rain pants, wool socks, and sandals.  Does it get any more "granola" than this?  He's even eating granola!

On day #2 we took a day hike up to Seven Lakes Basin, which is about 8 miles round trip.  Carly offered to carry the lunch pack.  This brought her hiking speed down to human levels.

The beautiful high country of the Olympic Moutains.

A peek at Mt. Olympus from High Divide.  She is teasing us...

Monica was ecstatic about walking on snow in August!

Loking down on the Seven Lakes Basin. Beautiful blue water.

The rocky stairs that created the hike down was like something out of a Tibetan monastery, but we made it.

Appropriately, we had lunch at Lunch Lake.  And Monica had a swim.

We hiked down and spent night #2 back at Deer Lake.  On Sunday we hiked out and stopped at Camp Parsons on the way home.  It was great to see Ken and show Carly around the camp where we met.  It was a little too stormy for a swim, but we still had a good visit.

We were fortunate to have perfect weather while we were on the trail.  Now we are home and I am nursing my sore leg muscles while doing loads and loads of laundry.  :)  Beyond the good company and great scenery, the best part of this trip for me was watching Monica embrace every aspect of the hike.  She had the time of her life!