August 2024: The State of Washington has some of the most stunning scenery in the USA because of its mountains, bays and volcanoes but for me the biggest stand out is its temperate rainforests, especially the massive old growth pines of Olympic National Park, some of the largest old growth temperate forests left in the lower 48. These forests are also some of the wettest in the world because of their location near Pacific Ocean currents and the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges. The immense amount of rain nourishes the growth of some of the world’s largest trees. Olympic peninsula is a wild wilderness that was one of the last parts of the West to be mapped and even to this day it remains un-conquered as the roads into the park leave the whole of the park’s massive mountain wilderness interior un-scathed. Olympic and Washington as a whole is stunning.
I first visited Washington in the summer of 2020 and hiked to some of the secondary temperate rainforests near Bellingham with my friend Evan. I loved it so much then that I returned 4 years later with my wife and infant daughter for a long weekend to camping the Hoh temperate rainforest of Olympic national park. The Hoh Forest is a massive old growth forest that is considered a World heritage site for a reason. The massive ancient pine forests are draped in greenery, mosses, ferns, lichens to give the forest undergrowth the appearance of being some kind of fairy land where mythical creatures like elves and gnomes could live. Instead of mythical creatures there are black bears, Roosvelt Elk, mountain lions and lots of slimy slugs some almost a foot long.
Location of Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
First trip to Washington in Bellingham Area
Sunset View of the bay from one of the State Parks near Belligham
My friend Evan on a lake hike
Abandoned wooden cabin being reclaimed by the temperate rainforest
During my first trip to Washington, it rained a lot and this drove many of the slugs out to feed
A swamp full of resonating bull frogs camoflaughed
My Daughter’s First Camping Trip in Hoh Rainforest
I always wanted to visit the World heritage site of the Hoh temperate rainforest in Olympic national park, one of the wettest areas of the Pacific temperate rainforests and possibly the most beautiful. I also wanted to camp fortwo nights. I love camping and I always say that camping in a beautiful, natural environment is more memorable than staying in a comfortable hotel and I hope to raise my daughter to share the same love that I have for camping. I feel that when camping, you feel more connected to the land. Of course, there are hardships too and camping in the summer in Olympic National park’s Hoh rainforest means Lots of insects like mosquitos and horse flies. This was a challenge because I didn’t want my daughter covered in bites, but she persevered albeit with some but not too many bites.
Indie’s hand on the window-Flight from San Diego to Seattle
We flew all of our camping gear with us to Seattle and rented a car for the 5-hour drive to Olympics’ Hoh rainforest campground. I reserved our campsite a month in advance since sites fill up fast. Due to a fire ban from dry conditions, we couldn’t have a campfire sadly. Most of the rain in the forest falls in winter not summer. Instead, we posted small lights on our tent and had an ashless flame to attempt to substitute the ambience of a campfire. We cooked food in our camp oven and made the best pf the experience.
Location of our campsite in Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Location of our campsite in Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Tent cuddles
Indie in the tent
happy family in the tent
The campground felt spread out and not crowded and our campsite was near the Hoh River, where giant Roosvelt elk grazed. We also had rainforest surrounding our campsite. The campground bathrooms didn’t have showers, so we brought our own pop-up shower tent and used water or the river for bathing.
Small little magical fairytale forest nook near our campsite
Indie in her camping chair having dinner
Indie in her camping chair having dinner
Indie in her camping chair having dinner
The Hoh Forest is one of the last refuges for the endangered Roosvelt Elk in the USA. The elk were named after President Teddy Roosvelt who helped protect them and the park. We saw a herd of these animals across the river and grazing in the rainforest on the side of the road near the campground.
Grazing Roosvelt Elk
The best part of the Hoh forest is hiking through it and admiring the huge trees and lush undergrowth. I can’t emphasize enough how magical this place was and despite its popularity, the trails were not very crowded, and it also helped to start hiking early in the morning before most visitors arrive. We hiked with Indie in a backpack and from time to time we would stop to take photos, but the mountain lion warning signs were good reminder to stay nearby at all times in a place like this.
Paula and Indie
Paula in the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Me carrying Indie
Location of Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Location of Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
Paula carrying Indie
Me and Indie
A photo ofIndie right before her mom had tojump in and grab a rock from hermouth she tried to swallow
Indiein the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park
My Daughter’s First Camping Trip in Hoh Rainforest
We also visited some of Pacific coastline of Olympic National Park but there were many more tourists in this area, and it wasn’t my favorite area. The massive piles of driftwood from the huge rainforest trees washed ashore was interesting, however.
Coastline
Paula on the Pacific
On the drive back to Seattle we drove the north route and visited the pine forests of the north of the park, which were different and also beautiful.
River near Sol Duc Falls
near Sol Duc Falls
near Sol Duc Falls
Indie touching a massive ancient pine forest tree that could easily be 1,000 years old