Exploring the Hoh Rain Forest in Washington
Olympic National Park is Known For Beautiful Temperate Rain Forest
Jul 7, 2009
There is only one campground in the richest temperate areas of Washington and it is appropriately named the Hoh campground. Although it is a small, busy and crowded campground, it is located in close proximity to many rain forest hikes.
Explore Washington’s Hoh Rain Forest in the Olympic Peninsula National Park:
The best way to observe the temperate rain forest is by taking a long quiet walk through its depths. Relax in the tranquility of seemingly green-infested and moss-blanketed tree limbs and trunks. Breathe in the fresh crisp air of the Hoh rain forest and allow yourself to become apart of it.
Here, sword ferns grow to be up to three times their ordinarily observed size; in fact, this is true for many other plant species. Bracken ferns reach heights of up to five feet and the leaves of native Devils Club span a length of at least eighteen inches. This is truly a land of spirituality and tranquility.
Watch Native Birds and Observe the Natural Ecosystems and Food Webs:
Native birds flock to the Hoh rain forest to feed off of its rich and abundant food supplies. They provide a natural soundtrack for any one who is peaceful enough to hear the birds over the sound of the astounded voice in their own head.
If one is able to spend some time in this place, she or he is likely to observe the hunting and courting habits of a pair of beautiful Bald Eagles. They roost on all of the numerous river and creek banks within the boundaries of the rain forest. The Eagles feed off of the Salmon that run wildly in the water.
Salmon use the waterways during their journey to the sea where they will spawn before returning to the same waterway to go to their birthplace where they will die. Salmon locate these waterways by using their scenes of smell; eagles use their keen sense of sight to capture them. These processes are only two of the numerous food chains and webs that are currently thriving in the Hoh rain forest.
The Hoh Rain Forest is Worth Making the Trip:
It is well worth spending the time and money for every one in the Pacific Northwest and beyond to visit the Hoh rain forest. Only here may one stand on the river bank of an ancient river surrounded by old-growth moss covered trees and stare up at a mountain range capped in snow.
The Hoh rain forest in the Olympic National Park must be preserved and treated with respect to maintain its beauty and splendor. Therefore, please remember to properly extinguish all campfires and leave nothing behind but footprints.
Continue exploring the Olympic National Park by reading about Kalaloach Campground.
To read about another campground located on the Olympic Peninsula visit this website.
