The Hoh Rain Forest--one of the last primeval temperate rain forests in the continental US, and the destination for my long weekend long hike. My first visit here was during a rare summer drought, and I didn't venture must past the first 1/2 km of trail. Having grown up in rain forest country, I didn't expect to be more than casually impressed with the surroundings. I am glad I gave it another go.
I hit the traill by 9:30, which was perfect. It was 2 hours before I saw another human. This turned out to be the perfect hike for me: long enough that I felt it, with enough elevation gain and diverse tread to keep me interested but not too tired.
Although I was alone most of the way, I keenly felt the life around me. According to the trail literature, the Hoh has more life per square inch than almost anywhere else on Earth. The Amazon outdoes it in fauna, but not flora. Every surface, except for the human-made trails, is covered in layers and dimensions of growth. Lichens, moss, ferns cover the Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock and the occasional carpet of dwarf dogwood and other flowers cover ground and tree.
Everything lives and dies in symbiosis here. I suppose that's not unusual for anywhere on Earth, but it's visible here. The recently fallen logs decay into shades of brown, the long-fallen logs support green growth, and the trees provide shade. Everything provides moisture. In the dense parts of the hike, my glasses steamed up, less from my effort than the breathing matter around me. Although it hadn't rained in days, even in the early afternoon the leaves were covered in dew and dampness.
Everything lives and dies in symbiosis here. I suppose that's not unusual for anywhere on Earth, but it's visible here. The recently fallen logs decay into shades of brown, the long-fallen logs support green growth, and the trees provide shade. Everything provides moisture. In the dense parts of the hike, my glasses steamed up, less from my effort than the breathing matter around me. Although it hadn't rained in days, even in the early afternoon the leaves were covered in dew and dampness.
As often happens on my solo journeys, my mind wanders to weird places. I got a fit of the giggles mid-way through, as the forest suddenly brought me back to my retail days in my early 20's. I had to learn the difference between ecru and bone and taupe, and all the shades of green. Suddenly the trees were customers, and I was saying "That's a nice chartreuse blouse." "You prefer more of a lime? Look right over there. Try this one in kelly green." "Here, shrug on this emerald jacket".
The Hoh River Trail is a bit of a misnomer, at least for the first 5 1/2 miles. There's a small number of refreshing river views, which bring you out of the forest and into the bright, but much of the hike is deep in the forest. Background music is often the river or one of the creeks, and sometimes it's just the chirp of birds and squirrels (chipmunks?)
I saw a Roosevelt elk on the way back! In all my years of coming to this area, this is the first I saw. There were actually two, but this was the closest. I may have been violating the 100 foot rule, but he came out of the forest in front of me, and I didn't want to move.
I saw a Roosevelt elk on the way back! In all my years of coming to this area, this is the first I saw. There were actually two, but this was the closest. I may have been violating the 100 foot rule, but he came out of the forest in front of me, and I didn't want to move.
I love the US National Parks. They deserve their recognition. I don't mind paying modest entrance fees ($15/week for the Olympic NP). I can see my fees hard at work with well maintained trails, excellent services at the trail heads, and a relatively clean privy here and there.
My Fitbit was as happy with my hike as I was.
My Fitbit was as happy with my hike as I was.
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