When I sit down to share with you our travels, I generally have a good sense of what I will write about. This particular post however, has been on my mind for months unable to decide how I would sufficiently describe to you the sensation of being in the Olympic National Forest. Unsure whether my words could accurately depict the variations of green, the colossal trees, and mighty waterfalls we explored, I set this one aside temporarily. I hope to offer you a glimpse of why our National Parks are vital and why these rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula in particular are essentials for you to visit.
Be more prepared that I was for the amount of green you are about to experience. No, this is not Central America. The Quinault Rain Forest is one of two temperate rain forests in the Olympic National Park. Ferns laden trails, moss covered trees, enormous spruce trees, and endless waterfalls made up our days exploring this forest.
Lake Quinault Lodge is the perfect place to serve as home base while exploring this part of the park. On the southern side of the lake is the Olympic National Forest. You can drive the perimeter of the lake and cross over to the northern shore where you will reach the Olympic National Park. Miles and miles of trails to traverse where tree roots serve as steps and ancient spruce rise high above humbling you as you explore their home. It was an incredible sight to see our tiny children dwarfed by trees more than a millennium old. Within reach of Lake Quinault resides the World’s Largest Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, and Douglas Fir and the United States largest Western Hemlock and Yellow Cedar. Pictured here are the largest Sitka Spruce at more than 55 feet around and 191 feet tall and the Western Red Cedar at more than 63 feet around and 174 feet tall. These trees are natural monuments in themselves.
More reading Olympic Peninsula? Try a trip to Ruby Beach or Lake Quinault.
