What do I remember most about driving through the Olympic National Park to the Hoh Rainforest? The cows, of course!
After you turn off Highway 101, it is about 13 miles to the Hoh Rainforest visitor center. So, we are driving along, admiring the scenery and marveling at the quickly changing climates, when what should appear in the wilds of a national park? Three black cows without a care in the world. Now, I should mention that I think cows are COOL, so this incident greatly influenced my overall impression of that day’s adventures.
My boyfriend’s favorite part of the day came at Mile 6. The canopy of trees just made a serene and beautiful site. Since we encountered a total of three other vehicles on the road, we felt safe to stop and take a few pictures. But don’t worry; there are several pull-outs at the scenic spots. Example? The Big Spruce Tree. If only Jennifer Lopez could get such press.
Okay, about the actual Hoh Rainforest. It is one of the largest temperate rain forests in the world, and the natural diversity is even apparent from the road. This is primarily a trailhead of back-country hikes, but there are three short hikes that can be done in a day. Our favorite was the Hall of Moses, which is actually the Hall of Mosses. I know nothing about botany, but the visual impact alone was startling. However, there were description markers for people more intellectually adventurous than I. This three-quarter-mile loop is mostly level and easily managed by most people.
There is also a picnic area and campground in the same style as parks all around the US. So the sandwiches we packed in our room were enjoyed amongst the trees and mosses of the rainforest.