Hoh Rain Forest and the Quinault Rain Forest

If you want to wander a bit further in the forest, take the Spruce Nature Trail along the Hoh River. At 1.3 miles you'll get an even better picture of what nature offers here. This trail teaches the development of a forest.

Vine maple, alder, black cottonwood and moss-covered vegetation greet you at eye level. Towering some 200-feet off the ground, Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Sitka spruce, Western hemlock, and other conifers take in the sun and let the rays through when the sun shines bright.

Heaven on earth, it is. Over 300 plant species make their home here plus 70 epiphytes (lichens, mosses, etc.) The Spruce Trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. No pets are allowed on the trails, however.

What people who haven't lived in an old-growth area don't realize, some of these trees may be over 1,000 years old. Imagine a 550-year-old, 12-1/2-feet diameter Sitka Spruce and that's what wakens your senses to just how small you are in this universe. We have old family pictures of people in front of some of these trees huge, but I can't identify them for you - so I'll not post them.

If you're a backcountry hiker you also have access here to the 17-mile trail to Glacier Meadows and the Blue Glacier moraine. It's one of six glaciers in the Olympic Mountains. The glacier is three miles long and 900 feet thick. I've not hiked there, but my sister has and says it's beautiful. You may also hike up to the top of Mt. Olympus this way, but only if you have mountaineering skills to accomplish that.

There's an article written by Joy Thomson at http://www.usroads.com/travel/articles/t... that is delightful. You'll experience the Rain Forest history and view it through her sights, with photos for your enjoyment. There's also information on hours, camping, etc. There are lots more photos on http://www.google.com. Just type in Hoh Rain Forest if you want to see more.

Unless you're a duck, you may want to explore its beauty in the late spring, summer, or early fall. The rain is heavier in the other seasons, but saturated air still produces 30 inches of dripping fog in the summer, so carry rain gear. Temperatures range from 40 degrees in the winter to 85 degrees in the summer. I'd certainly recommend the sunny summer for a visit, but it's nice in spring and fall, too.

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