Olympic Rain Forests

ScenicBoys: Olympic Rain Forests from scenicboys on Vimeo.

The Olympic Peninsula is the gem of Washington state. It's a mix of the best aspects of any National Park. From glacier capped mountains to ocean beaches still barely touched by man. Rich with Native American culture and home to a huge verity of animals, some only found in this corner of the world.

One of the most spectacular characteristics of the Park is the temperate rain forests that line the western slope of the mountains. The Hoh, Queets and Quinault (all named after local native tribes) host some of the world's largest specimens of Western Redcedar, Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and three different Fir. This is also the wettest place in the continental United States with a average of 12 feet of rain per year! It's no wonder that these trees can grow into unfathomable giants.

The Hoh River trail seemed like a highway for families and seniors. But for good reason, the flat trail is easily navigable through the big trees and drooping mosses. After a 3 mile hike we turned back and headed south to the Queets Rain Forest.

The Roosevelt Elk were in rut while we were visiting in mid September. The "rut" marks the time of year when bull elk bugle and battle for breeding rights.  It's amazing to listen to them bugle at each other, but to actually watch the majestic creatures call out is breath-taking. It was a truly magical sight to see.

After spending the night in the Queets, we continued south to the Quinault. What was meant to be just a quick stop but we were both in awe of the picturesque, almost fictional creeks and nature trails.  We nibbled on plump berries, counted no less than 8 species of fern, and hugged a 400 year old Douglas Fir tree. This was our favorite of the three forests. Perhaps we'll start a hike from here next Summer.

Comments

[Mike]

Love it. My God I really need to move to the Seattle area. This stuff just doesn't exist in Chicago! My thanks for allowing me to live vicariously for a few minutes!!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10708959]

This could not be more wonderful. I miss WA so much after watching this!

[Michael]

Did Garet right this blog post? I know how much he loves the Peninsula.

How many videos left in this season? I don't want it to end!

[Ragasha]

So, so beautiful. Thanks for the pics. I can't wait to come back. Miss you guys, Yxx

[Mark]

Wonderous.........and beautiful.

[irisgirl]

A beautiful snippet of an awesome locale---I visited the Olympic Rain Forest when I was age 9 (a bunch of years ago!) and you've helped me revive some spectacular, vivid memories. Thank you so much!
And yes, Mike, we Chicagoans have nothing that compares with magnificence!

[irisgirl]

oops--I meant this magnificence!

[Doug]

Mike from Chicago said all that needs to be said...
" My God I really need to move to the Seattle area..."
"Thanks for allowing me to live vicariously for a few minutes!!"

[Jim]

Great video. I miss not seeing you more often. I really enjoy your adventures. Thanks for providing the great pictures.

[Vin]

I hope you crack the 200 miles before it gets to cold! Great song choice..one of my favourite Fleetwood songs.

Its startin' to warm up downunder - ive got stacks of campin planned myself..stay tuned fellas.

[podoli.livejournal.com]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing. Don't forget us this winter when you are not hiking so much. Love to hear more about you and Seattle

[Mark Turner]

If you like the Quinalt, take a few days and hike the route of the Press Expedition. Head up the Elwha, cross low divide, and then finish by coming down the Quinalt. Soon after the snow melts out is a good time, which means mid-June.

[Gary]

I love the moss covered trees. There is something so romantic about them. They remind me a bit of trees down South with Spanish moss dripping from their limbs.

That picture of Dusty in the hollowed out log... Too cute for words! :)

[Elliptical reviews]

No offense, but if there's a facebook like button, it'll be much easier for me to share.