Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Hoh Rainforest Spruce Nature Trail

The Spruce Nature Trail along the Hoh River in the Olympic National Park follows a loop along the former river bank, wandering through a lush variety of plants representing different ages and stages of forest affected by the river. 

Upper forest, lower forest

And, of course, salmon in the river

Salmon emerge and live for a year in the Hoh River, before swimming down to the Pacific Ocean.  They then return to the river as three-year olds to spawn and die and their carcasses decompose and nourish the forest, supporting over 130 wildlife species.

Moving from the river back to the trees (this is a rainforest), we start down the trail, encountering Douglas Fir that are scarse in the rainforest because they cannot reproduce in shade and require a opening caused by fire or downed trees. to start.

Along the trail


Through the fallen trees

The trail continues to wander through the forest, with great sights of trees (fallen and standing) along the way.



Continuing through the forest

The trail circles back to the Hoh River and we follow the riverbank for a while, noting on a park service sign that many of these trees are centuries old.

Along the river

Back into the forest


Not to forget that this is a rainforest!

With really old, big trees

We cross small springs and creeks feeding into the river.  

Springs and creeks

And, lots of small bridges

This has been a fun exploration of the forest at the base of the Olympic Mountains.  Now, it's time to travel a short way through the park to beaches on the Pacific Ocean.

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