If you love the color green, this is the National Park for you. It is a lush temperate rain forest, one of Washington’s Seven Wonders, a World Heritage Site, and a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve. It protects the Rosevelt Elk and is home to the banana slug.

The forest is located on the western slopes of the Olympic Mountain range on the Olympic Peninsula. Its location benefits from getting the first moisture laden wind from the Pacific Ocean. As this air rises along the slopes of the mountains it is condensed to form rain. This forest can get up to 14 feet of rain a year and, in fact, the best time to visit the park is when it is raining lightly or misting.

We took the Mosses Trail which is a lovely loop that has a reasonable path that takes you into the heart of the rainforest. My first impression was to watch where i stepped as there were many exposed roots.

It did not hurt to watch for head clearance either.

All along the path one sees incredible scenes of ‘green’.

In the Rainforest, life supports other life which in turn supports other life. On the one hand the place is fascinating. But, sometimes I could see it being spooky too.

Everywhere there are mini-worlds, places of photographic interest for composition.

Most trees are covered with hanging moss. Moss is an epiphyte, which is a plant that grows on another plant without harming it (as opposed to a parasite). Epiphytes get their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, fog, and debris that accumulate… — Most trees are covered with hanging moss. Moss is an epiphyte, which is a plant that grows on another plant without harming it (as opposed to a parasite). Epiphytes get their moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, fog, and debris that accumulates around them.

Tom is dwarfed! The most common types of trees that grow in the Hoh Rain Forest are Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock (Washington's official state tree), which can reach over 300 feet high and seven feet in diameter.

Looking up, one of Tom’s favorite photographic techniques.

There is a creek that runs through the forest and that provides another opportunity to see . . . GREEN!

We visited the rainforest several times and the last time we were there we saw the beginning of fall foliage. What a treat! The maples in the forest begin to turn and all of a sudden there is a whole new dimension to the forest.

Near the entrance to the park there is a good place to stop and capture a stream and green!

We finish up with some shots from the road.

A special thank you to Kim and John for sharing the forest with us.

The Hoh Rain Forest is the largest temperate rain forest in the United States. It is a key feature of the Olympic National Forest and its popularity is well deserved. We hiked the 0.8 mile Hall of Mosses Trail.

To access the Hall of Mosses Trail you must first cross a wooden bridge.  This image is to your left.  My first thought was, "Oh man, I am going to have to de-saturate that green.  No one will believe this intensity."  Well, I de… — To access the Hall of Mosses Trail you must first cross a wooden bridge. This image is to your left. My first thought was, "Oh man, I am going to have to de-saturate that green. No one will believe this intensity." Well, I decided to leave it alone. The rest of the hike would be surreal and the green became more believable by the cross back over the bridge.

Once I took a deep breath with the view on the left side of the bridge I turned to the right side.  Immediately I knew it was going to be an awesome hike. — Once I took a deep breath with the view on the left side of the bridge I turned to the right side. Immediately I knew it was going to be an awesome hike.

Light shows up and then disappears.  The overhead clouds play games with photographers.  'You want a ray of light?'  How much are you willing to pay?  LOL — Light shows up and then disappears. The overhead clouds play games with photographers. 'You want a ray of light?' How much are you willing to pay? LOL

Micro environments provide a relief from the over-stimulation that one gets when looking around and seeing the bigger picture!  Better to focus on something small, like me . . . . — Micro environments provide a relief from the over-stimulation that one gets when looking around and seeing the bigger picture! Better to focus on something small, like me . . . .

These trees may have started many, many years ago on a 'nursing log' and then extended their root down into the soil.  The nursing log is finally absorbed and the roots are exposed with nothing beneath them.  Just guessing here! — These trees may have started many, many years ago on a 'nursing log' and then extended their root down into the soil. The nursing log is finally absorbed and the roots are exposed with nothing beneath them. Just guessing here!

For the photographer . . . unlimited dynamic range . . . . backlit . . .

I felt small in this place.  I was. — I felt small in this place. I was.

The predominant tree in the Hoh rain forest is the Sitka Spruce.  Other trees are the Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Big Leaf Maple, Red Alder, Vine Maple and Black Cottonwood. — The predominant tree in the Hoh rain forest is the Sitka Spruce. Other trees are the Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Big Leaf Maple, Red Alder, Vine Maple and Black Cottonwood.

Trees can grow to 312 feet in height and 23 feet in diameter.

As we left Highway 101 and headed to the Ranger Station for Hoh Rain Forest we drove along the Hoh River. One thing that stood out among the large tree stumps was the aquamarine color of the water.  We finally stopped to see if we could capture… — As we left Highway 101 and headed to the Ranger Station for Hoh Rain Forest we drove along the Hoh River. One thing that stood out among the large tree stumps was the aquamarine color of the water. We finally stopped to see if we could capture the color.

There are twenty shades of green in a large box of crayons. We saw every one of them as we hiked!

Hoh Rainforest

Hoh Rain Forest

Index