The Hoh Rainforest is one of the most spectacular temperate rainforests in the world. The 50-mile (80 km) long Hoh River begins high on the Mount Olympus glaciers and descends 7,000 feet (2,135 meters) to the Pacific Ocean, fed by snowmelt and rain along the way. With mild winters, cool summers, and around 12 feet (3.6 meters) of annual precipitation, the rainforest at the bottom of the river is dominated by giant conifers, accompanied by bigleaf maples, vine maples, and a vast collection of mosses, ferns, and plants on the forest floor, feeding the grazing elk.
We drive to the trailhead and start to explore the Hall of Mosses, an old-growth temperate rain forest.
Entering the rainforest
Along the Hoh River
Signs along the trail explain to us that most of the trees are over 200 feet (61 meters) tall and, unlike tropical rainforests, the trees are coniferous: Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and Douglas fir. The lower levels of the forest are elk food: maple leaves and low branches.
Explaining the forest
Be alert!
Along the trail
We enter the Hall of Mosses and appreciate the lush colors of the moss-covered treees and landscape. Beards of clubmoss are attached to the trees, but feed only on air and light. The rainforest atmosphere provides plenty of moisture and wind-born nutrients to sustain and grow these plants.
Along the Hall of Mosses
Continuing along the trail
Crossing the streams that feed into the Hoh River
Soon, we're back at the trailhead to explore more trails in this region of the park.
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