The Hoh Rainforest is really something to phone home about...
The pictures below will show exactly why this stop was my absolute favorite of the trip. Although I am an ocean lover at heart, my heart strings were pulled by this mystical forest. It rivals any seascape in my mind. A special thanks to Dan Hallock (yes, the official driver and occasional photographer) for taking a few of these awesome pictures. If it's good, he took it.
Okay, details. It is about a 40 minute drive from Forks to the Visitor's Center in the Rainforest. The drive is really part of the experience, so don't be intimidated by another three-quarters of an hour in the car. And speaking of the car, this particular stretch of the trip deserves it's own soundtrack. Something instrumental or your absolutely favorite band will make this the time of your life!
There is a short loop trail from the parking lot that is paved and perfect when you've got small kids. There are at least two other longer trails that will satisfy the more adventurous. The visitor's center has a nice variety of exhibits including one that shows the difference in growth from trees in Hurricane Ridge to Hoh Rainforest - amazing! We practically had the place to ourselves and the sound of rain was mesmerizing. Have I yet mentioned that the Olympic Peninsula is home to over 20 plants and animals that are found nowhere else on earth?? If that's not cool, I don't know what is. I'm guessing that we were within feet of at least a few of them.
So here they are - photos that I think will capture your heart too:
The pictures below will show exactly why this stop was my absolute favorite of the trip. Although I am an ocean lover at heart, my heart strings were pulled by this mystical forest. It rivals any seascape in my mind. A special thanks to Dan Hallock (yes, the official driver and occasional photographer) for taking a few of these awesome pictures. If it's good, he took it.
Okay, details. It is about a 40 minute drive from Forks to the Visitor's Center in the Rainforest. The drive is really part of the experience, so don't be intimidated by another three-quarters of an hour in the car. And speaking of the car, this particular stretch of the trip deserves it's own soundtrack. Something instrumental or your absolutely favorite band will make this the time of your life!
There is a short loop trail from the parking lot that is paved and perfect when you've got small kids. There are at least two other longer trails that will satisfy the more adventurous. The visitor's center has a nice variety of exhibits including one that shows the difference in growth from trees in Hurricane Ridge to Hoh Rainforest - amazing! We practically had the place to ourselves and the sound of rain was mesmerizing. Have I yet mentioned that the Olympic Peninsula is home to over 20 plants and animals that are found nowhere else on earth?? If that's not cool, I don't know what is. I'm guessing that we were within feet of at least a few of them.
So here they are - photos that I think will capture your heart too:
Those are the roots of a gigantic tree behind me!
Christmas card possibility?? We could make it a contest: "Guess where this was taken?"
This was definitely the biggest tree I've ever seen.
Later, my first love: the ocean. We make it to First and Second Beach in LaPush.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for taking the time to comment! Come back again soon.