Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park
Throughout the year, rain falls frequently in the Hoh Rain Forest, resulting in a yearly total of 140 to 170 inches (or 12 to 14 feet!) of precipitation each year. The result is a lush, green canopy of both coniferous and deciduous species. Mosses and ferns that blanket the surfaces add another dimension to the enchantment of the rainforest.
The Roosevelt Elk are plentiful in the park.
I'm shrinking! Bummer! Standing next to a Sitka Spruce
Look closely and you can see the moss hanging from the trees. We took the Hall of Mosses Trail loop. It felt like we were in the middle of a very scary movie.
Look at the size of these ferns...I am center right in the picture.
The sunlight caught steam coming off this tree.
Just amazing!
You're not in Kansas, Dorothy!
Everything is covered in moss including this phone booth outside the visitor center.
We then drove to the southwest end of the Olympic National Park to the Quinault Rain Forest area and camped for the night. This area is known as the "Valley of the Giants." The largest Sitka Spruce tree and other nationally recognized giants of Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and the Western Cedar grow here.
Look at the world's largest Sitka Spruce.
Truly amazing!
World's largest Sitka Spruce - It stands 191 feet tall, 17 feet in diameter, and 58 feet, 11 inches in circumference. It's about 1,000 years old. This tree and the Quinault Rain Forest hiking paths were located 100 feet from our campsite!
Rain Forest Resort Campground
Lake Quinault was formed by a glacier that receded into the mountains many thousands of years ago.
Time to move on...sad to go.
The Olympic National Park is a land of contrasts and variety. We found the Pacific Ocean, glacier capped peaks, and forests! There are three distinct ecosystems within nearly one million acres. There was a lot to see and do at Olympic National Park. I've decided this is my favorite national park and plan a return visit. Truly amazing!
Off we go to the Seattle area...
Location:Hoh Rain Forest
They say if MT. Rainier had a similar event, the pyroplastic flows would cover Seattle to the depth of the Space Needle. That would wipe out 25% of the world's Subaru owners.
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