HOH RIVER RAINFOREST
WHERE: From Portland take US highway 101 north to highway 12 west to 101 north to the Hoh River Road which you will follow to the roads end at the visitor's center.
THE TRAIL: You can take this trail as far as 17 miles which leaves you near the base of a glacier on Mount Olympus. You can climb to the top from here which takes 4-6 hours according to the park service. Lush rainforest with layers of vegetation everywhere and enough lichen around to make for a very comfortable bed. Unfortunately when I did this hike it was pouring the whole time despite fairly nice weather on the ride up (that should come as no surprise being a rainforest of course). In fact the lichen did make a nice cover for my tent keeping it dry and warm. I actually made a temporary shelter out of lichen so I could set up my tent without getting it wet as my rainfly was a separate piece from the largely mesh body. The lichen also provided a cozy bedding keeping the bottom of my tent dry. Be prepared to walk on a muddy trail even if it is not raining. You will also have many nice views of this mineral filled, glacial cloudy river. Alternately you can take a thirty minute walk down the Hall of Mosses which is a very picturesque interpretive trail: Not as much of a wilderness experience but foot for foot probably the most beautiful trail/walkway I have walked upon.
On the drive back there was a huge owl standing at least two feet tall in the middle of the road. It waited until I hit my brakes, and nearly the Owl as well, before spreading its wingspan wider than my car and ascending into the trees: Until now I did not notice how huge owls could be. Less than two more miles down the Hoh River road I saw a herd of Roosevelt Elk, looking lean from the previous winter, grazing in a small meadow to the south of a general store whose name escapes me. The people at the store also said the herd looked thin (as far as body weight) this year. I guess this herd hangs around the area every year. The locals also told me of a cougar that is rarely seen but does like to check up on the town folks also.
THE LOOP: Anyone looking for a small road trip should consider looping around the peninsula on highway 101. You can go from the wettest spots in the US too some of the driest areas of the West Coast within an hour. Hurricane Ridge takes you up to nice views of the countries third most glaciated system in the lower 49 while Hot Springs await on the Boulder Lake Trail. If relaxation is your gig, you can go to the resort style Hot Springs of Sol De Lac which will be very touristy. Be sure to make a stop in Port Angeles which is a very pleasant and bohemian friendly pacific coast city.
