July 19, 2025 - Driving from Alaska to Maryland
Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic NP
Today's main goal was to hike around at the Hoh Rain Forest which I gathered was one of highlights of Olympic National Park.  The Hoh Rain Forest visitor center and trailhead is about 31 miles from Forks and 18 miles east off Highway 101.  I knew that the trailhead parking lot wasn't very large and we would have to arrive early to get a parking spot.  If the parking lot is full, the park rangers won't let you into the park.  So we got up early and arrived at the Hoh Rain Forest gate around 7AM.
   
During the 18 mile drive from Highway 101 to the trailhead parking lot, we encountered this herd of Elk!
   
A big guy crosses the road.
   
We've seen bear and buffalo but this was our first elk sighting of the entire Alaskan road trip.
   
 
   
 
   

I would say the parking lot was already three quarters full when we arrived.  But we were able to get one of the coveted parking spots.  If you don't come early, and don't get a spot, you could be waiting for hours at the entrance gate.  When we left, there were over 100 cars in line waiting to get in.  A car would come out, and the ranger would let one go in.  A few people honked and cheered as we drove down the line.

I think many of the cars parked here before us must belong to backpackers who are out overnight on the 18 mile Hoh River Trail to Blue Glacier.
   
A map of the Hoh Rain Forest trails.  We started with the short Hall of Mosses trail, and then the short Spruce Nature Trail.  We concluded our visit by hiking one and a half miles up the Hoh River Trail and then coming back.  That was enough hiking for us.
   
The hiking around the trail head is flat.  Ten miles up the Hoh River Trail the trail starts climbing up to the Blue Glacier meadow.
   
Starting out on the Hall of Mosses trail.
   
Yes, that's definately moss hanging from the trees.
   
 
   
 We pass over a little creek; the water was absolutely clear.
   
Mr. Hiking Man.
   
The Hall of Mosses trail is aptly named.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Tree arch.  Still alive and growing.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
We start off on the Spruce Nature Trail.
   
 
   
 
   
This is one of the prettiest forest hikes we've ever done.
   

Of course, pictures rarely capture the beauty.
 
   
 
   
The Spruce Nature Trail runs down by the Hoh River which flows down from the glacier.  .
   
 
   
We spot this friendly little guy.
   
He's used to people.  That is clear.
   
Notice the Bear Spray hanging on my belt.  I'm ready for action.
   
 
   
The clear waters of Taft Creek come from springs and seeps just upstream.  Filtering down through forest soil rainwater slowly percolates through deeper layers of sand and gravel, and supplies the springs with a steady flow.
   
 
   
Starting up the Hoh River Trail.  Will we make it all the way to Glacier Meadows?  I think not.
   
 
   
 
   
It must have been one heck of a chain saw to go through that big fallen tree.
   
 
   
 
   
These trees sprouted from what is known as a "Nurse Log".   When a big tree falls, Hemlock and Spruce seedlings absorb minerals, moisture and warmth from the decaying trunk.  After their roots reach soil, new trees often seem to stand on stilts as the nurse log moulders away.  Notice how the trees are in a straight line where the dead tree trunk used to be.
   
Root stilts.
   
 
   
This massive trunk is 190 feet long.  But it's only a portion of the originally standing tree.  In the rain forest, Sitka Spruces average 220 feet tall, and some grow to over 300 feet.
   
 
   
 
   
The nurse log must have fallen hundreds of years ago because the trees that grew from it are large.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
We really enjoyed hiking through the Hoh Rain Forest.  I would say it is definately worth getting up early in the morning for.
   
 
   
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