The trail is pretty flat most of the way, as it follows the Hoh River Valley for the first 12 ½ miles or so. Your email address will not be published. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. Starting at the visitor center, the Hall of Mosses trail … Hoh Rain Forest Hall of Moss is a 1.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Forks, Washington that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Pass spectacular old-growth dripping with moss, nurse logs providing nourishment to full grown trees and end with a … This well groomed, easy trail ascends the lush river valley along the north bank of … Flora & Fauna The 50-mile long wild Hoh River is born high on glacier-capped Mount Olympus and descends 7,000 feet … To get to the trailhead you’ll have to travel on a gravel road, passing the South Fork DNR campground, before reaching the trailhead, which is just outside the National Park. The trail begins outside the park, so the Sitka spruce you see initially is second-growth, as this area was logged nearly 100 years ago. The Hoh River Trail begins at the Hoh Rainforest Ranger Station in the west central quadrant of Olympic National Park. Mosses and ferns that blanket the surfaces add another dimension to the enchantment of the rainforest. Want to be rested and ready for the Pacific Northwest's most enchanting trails? Offer period Aug, Sep. Arches National Park, you bet I took a photo of Delicate Arch. The Hoh is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States and is one of the park's most popular destinations. Overview Due to the popularity of both trails, it’s not a bad idea to visit this area on a weekday, or during the early morning or evening hours. Hike the Hoh River to the Blue Glacier through lush rainforest. Hoh Rainforest and the Blue Glacier. Inhabited by a wide variety of foliage and wildlife, as you can see Hoh Rainforest also plays host to some of the best hikes around. Check out the Tree ID guide to navigate the forest and know which trees you’re hiking with! With the 9:15 AM scheduled check-in, we recommend you book this Sol Duc to Hoh Rain Forest shuttle at the beginning of your trip, allowing you to hike back to your vehicle at the Sol Duc. A third consideration claims that the word "Hoh" translates to "man with quarreling wives." Regardless of the name, there's no question as to the allure that draws visitors back to the rainforest year after year. Hoh River Trail (Hoh Rainforest Area) Long trail leading to Blue Glacier at the north face of Mount Olympus. The Hoh is … Overview. It gets a yearly total of 12 to 14 feet of rain, which is heaven for moss and ferns. The trail sets off on a very gentle incline along the north flank of the Hoh River … Busy trail through lush Washington rainforest that's perfect for the whole family. We all know Washington is an incredibly unique and diverse place, offering everything from mountain trails and forests to rural landscape and breathtaking ocean beaches. Backpacking the Hoh Rainforest. The Goal. It is a different world. The Olympic Peninsula is the wettest region in the lower 48 states and the area is known for its spectacular temperate rainforest, subalpine meadows and montane forest. Starting at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, the Sitka Nature Trail meanders 1.25 miles through some of the most well-preserved temperate rainforest found anywhere in the United States. The result is a lush, green canopy of both coniferous and deciduous species. You can’t escape a … Upon arriving at Olympic National Park’s Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center (finally), we consulted with a ranger for a relatively quick hike that would offer us views. Do you see the new growth just sprouting? Not only because it’s short and easy, but the lush mossy scenery is otherworldly. Hoh Rainforest is not one to be missed. The Olympic Peninsula is the wettest region in the lower 48 states and the area is known for its spectacular temperate rainforest, subalpine meadows and montane forest. The Hoh lies on the west side of Olympic National Park, about a two-hour drive from Port Angeles and under an hour from Forks. To get permits and more information on backpacking along the Hoh River Trail and throughout Olympic National Park, visit the Wilderness (Backcountry) Reservations page. From the Hoh River Trailhead at the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center area, follow the paved track due east for roughly a quarter of a mile to the junction with the Hoh River Trail. A classic hike in any season, but come in winter and you’ll find that the hordes of tourists, hikers, and climbers who use this trail in the summer have dwindled to just a trickle. There are three main hiking trails that led from the Hoh Rain Forest visitors center, The Hall of Mosses Trail, a quick 0.8 mile (1.28 km) loop, The Spruce Nature Trail, a 1.2 mile (1.93 km) and … Truly amazing flora with the huge old trees, mosses, lichens and ferns. The Hoh Rain Forest is located in the stretch of the Pacific Northwest rainforest which once spanned the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to the central coast of California. Is it worth the trek (1.5 hours each way, I believe?) Hikes In The Hoh Rain Forest. Today we’ll be taking a look at the top 5 best hikes in Hoh Rainforest. Total Loop Distance 1.2 miles (Spruce Nature Trail) / 1.1 miles (Hall Of Moss Trail). The old growth provides a special habitat for the endangered Northern Spotted Owl, so remember to respect the home of these animals during your visit! This trail is not for the casual hiker – it’s an up and down trail that starts at about 700 feet and goes up to nearly 3,300 feet, before going back down to 500 feet. Hoh Rainforest Hiking Trail Options On Hoh Rainforest tours you can choose two short loop trails – the Hall of Mosses loop (green) or the Spruce Nature Trail loop (gray). The Hoh Rainforest is located on the ruggedly beautiful Olympic Peninsula. ... Hoh River Trail - easy hike through a beautiful rainforest. Check out the exhibits of the temperate rain forest in the Visitor Center. While this out and back trail is a total length of approximately 33 miles, this is a great hike even if you go in a few miles, then back out. It’s worth the effort, as you’ll have a chance to enjoy a beautiful, sparkling lake and the surrounding mountains. We were lucky enough to visit the Hoh Rainforest on a very sunny and warm day. The Hoh River Trail (17.3 miles) is the Hoh Rainforest main hiking trail with several campgrounds on the way to Blue Glacier on Mount Olympus. This trail is a great alternative if you don’t want to do the dreaded Ladder Of Doom towards the end of the Hoh River Trail. Hoh rainforest Photo about hike, trail, national, park, olympic, rainforest - 44266100 We reached the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center for some recommendations and a bear canister. There was ample parking available at the Hoh Rainforest Campfround. You’ll want to use caution in this area, as bears are often sighted – if you don’t actually see a bear there’s a fair chance you’ll at least see a pile of bear scat along the trail. The Hoh is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforest in the United States and is one of the park's most popular destinations. Camping Hoh Rainforest Hoh Rain Forest Hike. After a mile you’ll enter what’s called the “Big Flat”, site of a glacier long, long ago which is now a river valley often socked in with fog. Hall of Mosses Trail (Hoh Rainforest Area) Loop trail through old-growth rain forest. If you are afraid of heights, or are simply afraid of ladders, reaching the end of this hike will be out of the question, and unfortunately you’ll miss out on the best views this hike has to offer. The overgrown forest floor provides the perfect habitat for animals like banana slugs , snails, rodents, snakes, and salamanders. Type of trip Not specified. The Hoh River Trail is located in the Pacific Northwest's Olympic National Park and leads to the Mount Olympus Blue Glacier. Hiking the Hoh Rain Forest is truly a special experience to enjoy, but the Hoh Rain Forest offers more than just hiking and beauty, it's also a great opportunity to see some spectacular wildlife. 3 miles there and back. There is a composting toilet at the camp, should the need arise. If you are a beginning backpacker, this hike is absolutely perfect, as there is very little elevation gain and there are places to camp at 2.25 miles (Mount Tom Creek), 5 miles (the appropriately named Five Mile Creek), 6 miles (Happy Four), and 9 miles (Olympus Guard Station). The beauty of this trail is you can hike as far as you like, take a short stroll to the Hoh River … While camping is not allowed on this loop, there is a nice campground at the trailhead. If you are looking for a longer hike in the Hoh Rain Forest than the 0.75 mile Hall of Mosses or 1.25 mile Spruce Nature Trail loops, then begin your trek on the 17.4 mile Hoh River Trail for a day-hike or multi-day backpacking trip. This forest is teeming with life around every root. By Scott McGee August 13, 2018 March 1st, 2020 3 Comments. From here, go left at the loop junction to return to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. 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