Hoh Rainforest

Thursday, we checked out of the hotel early and got breakfast on the road.  We wanted to get an early start for Hoh Rainforest, one of the most popular areas in Olympic National Park.  The river was pretty in the early morning light and we made a quick stop here.

At the visitor center, we first hike the beautiful Hall of Mosses Trail.

The giant Douglas firs and other trees were blanketed in moss and it was really beautiful.

The trail was just a 1-mile loop but we made lots of photo stops.

Arriving early, we had nice lighting through the moss-covered rainforest.

I was just amazed at the rainforest in here.

We finished up the Hall of Mosses then got on the Hoh River Trail.

In about a mile, a spur led out to the river.  It was very low and I could walk out a ways.

Heading up the trail, there were many more giant trees.

In just under 3 miles, we crossed Mineral Creek and Mineral Creek Falls was visible upstream.

A path led up towards the base but there was a lot of downfall on it.

I scrambled around but couldn't find a good view - I think the best is from the trail.

The next tributary over also had a waterfall - Little Mineral Falls.

It was a steep path from the trail to the base, but I actually liked this one better than the first.

Back on the main trail, we continued on and spotted some stair-step moss.

Some Canadian bunchberry had berries.

We hiked another mile or so past the waterfalls and found a spot to take a break.

There was a beautiful western redcedar here.

After a snack, we made our way back.  And not surprisingly, it had gotten very crowded when we made it back.

We drove back to the main road and headed south on US-101, making a quick stop at Kalaloch Beach 4.  A short trail led down to the beach.

Over on the coast, it had gotten really foggy.  The beach was beautiful but the tide was coming in so we didn't go far.

There was an overlook above the beach as well.

After some pictures, we continued on.

At Quinault Lake, we checked into the Rain Forest Resort.  Then we made the short hike to see the world's largest Sitka spruce.

At over 190 feet tall and 50 feet in circumference, it was a spectacular tree.

Then we headed to Salmon House for dinner.  They were only doing take-out so we ate back at the room and enjoyed the sunset from our balcony.

After dinner, we walked down to the lake to see the moon in the last rays of the sun.

Then we headed back to the room.