The Mink Lake, Little Divide, Deer Lake and Lovers Lane trails form a 13.7 mile loop through the Sol Duc Valley in Olympic National Park. The Mink Lake Trail climbs steadily to a divisive ridge between the Sol Duc River Valley (north) and Bogachiel River Valley (south). This diverse route features spectacular old growth, two lakes, river access and an easy side trip to Sol Duc Falls. 

According to legend, Sol Duc and Olympic Hot Springs formed when two evenly matched dragons from Sol Duc and Elwha battled to a draw; they cried in mutual defeat producing hot tears which are the source of the springs in the respective valleys

The Lovers Lane Trail runs flat along the Sol Duc River on a slalom-like course through big old growth and dense biomass

Mink Lake occupies a marshy, grassy basin between Little Divide and the Sol Duc River

Though huckleberry is commonly referred to as a berry, it's technically a drupe, which is a fruit that's pulpy on the outside with a hard shell on the inside containing one seed

The Little Divide Trail drops down the Bogachiel side of the crest and cuts across steep slopes under a tall fir canopy

Canyon Creek flows from Deer Lake into the Sol Duc River

Burls, galls, and tumors may be caused by bacteria, fungi, insects or environmental stress, but their impact on growth is usually negligible

Deer Lake is ringed by damp, grassy meadows with easy access for anglers

Boardwalks lead over large bogs on the Lovers Lane Trail

Douglas Fir is the largest and tallest member of the pine family; it grows in a wide range of habitats and can exhibit a range of characteristics

The west end of Lovers Lane is a good place to see salmon; Kink and Coho return in late summer and spawn in late fall, while cutthroat and steelhead run in the fall and winter and spawn into the spring

Western Hemlock bark is high in tannins, which native people used for dyes and cleansing solutions

Large meadows are partially concealed but easy to reach off the Deer Lake Trail

Biomass, a measure of living matter in a given habitat, takes carbon out of the atmosphere while it is growing

The Little Divide Trail crests on a saddle over Deer Lake with good views across the Sol Duc River Valley

The Little Divide Trail drops sharply off the ridge down the Bogachiel side before leveling across pond-dotted swales and meadows

The Mink Lake and Deer Lake trails open to montane meadows near their connections with Little Divide