Hoh Rain Forest
add photosThroughout the winter season, rain falls frequently in the Hoh Rain Forest, contributing to the yearly total of 140 to 170 inches (or 12 to 14 feet!) of precipitation each year. The result is a lush, green canopy of both coniferous and deciduous species. Mosses and ferns that blanket the surfaces add another dimension to the enchantment of the rainforest.
6 Reviews for Hoh Rain Forest
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'10, '11, '12
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"Magical walk through a world of green."
I had daydreamed about the Hoh Rainforest from the time I first realized such a place existed. I had always imagined rainforests to be tropical and hot, not cool and filled with evergreens.
My family only had a few hours to spend in the Hoh so we opted to take it's most popular trail, the Hall of Mosses. This trail is a short (0.8 mile) loop with a gradual 100 foot elevation gain. I did the trail with two four-year-olds and and a senior and we all had an easy time with the trail. While most days in the Hoh are thick with clouds and rain. We happened upon a rare warm, sunny day but the shade from all the trees made the walk very pleasant.
One of the highlights of the trail is a stream that we crossed towards the beginning of our walk. The water was so clear that you could see fish swimming and algae growing in the water, which seemed to reflect the moss hanging in the trees. If my kids would have let me, I could have stayed and watched the life in that water for a long time.
Another highlight is the plethora of nurse logs in this forest. Nurse logs are fallen logs that act as nurseries for new life. Things decay quickly on the forest floor, creating rich soil perfect for nurturing new life. We saw huge fallen trees with several new trees, ferns, and fungi growing out of them.
My kids also loved playing around the roots and massive trunks of fallen trees which served as great hiding places. They also loved completing a nature scavenger hunt in the junior ranger booklet on this trail. Your kids can attend a ranger program in this area if you plan your visit during one of the ranger walks and talks so plan your schedule accordingly.
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"Beautiful!"
This is a beautiful place to explore! Be prepared to get wet, though, because more often than not, it is raining. Beach 5 and Ruby Beach are among our favorites, though Ruby Beach is quite a hike for little legs. Take your camera, and be prepared to see some star fish!
The kids really liked Ruby beach, because of the tide pools. They didn't like all the driving to get from beach to beach, but they really enjoyed the difference in the beaches from the west to east coast.
Take rain coats. A stroller won't help, as it is a trail and not really good for the stroller. We ended up carrying it down to the beach, and then putting it at the end of the trail because there was no place to use it.
1 family found this helpful
"AMAZING"
I have lived in the Pacific Northwest for most of my life and so seeing giant trees and vast greenery is something that I am used to. The experience of seeing the Hoh rainforest is amazing, even to someone who sees trees everyday! It is a national wonder and I am so lucky to be able to live in this area.
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"Amazing Park"
It was so amazing to walk through and see Hoh Rain Forest. It definitely requires a little hiking, but the trails are very clean and points of interest are very well marked. It wasn't very interesting to our little one, as she's a bit too young to appreciate nature. But it was a wonder to see and definitely worth the trip.
1 family found this helpful
"Hoh Rainforest with young kids"
We were in amazement at the Hoh Rainforest, it was so mystical and beautiful! We took my daughter when she was just over one year old, and she loved being in the baby backpack while we hiked through the forest. The forest trail is a GREAT length for kids, not too long at all, and we got so many beautiful pictures! It was an unforgettable trip!
Tip: Be prepared for all kinds of weather, and invest in a baby backpack or some type of carrier like that before you go. A stroller would have been tough on the trail, but the backpack was wonderful!
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"Lots to see"
There is alot to see. I took my husband there for his birthday and we spent the whole day walking around, taking pictures, and watching elk. It was amazing to see them so close to where we were. Its a little bit of a drive to get there, but well worth it. Make sure you have your walking shoes on and if you have kids, make sure to bring the stroller. There are many different trails to visit and depending on your level of fitness will depend on what ways you go. Also make sure to bring a raincoat/umbrella. It started to downpour while we were there and we didn't bring anything w/ us, so by the time we got back to the car we were soaked.
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