Saturday, August 24, 2013, Spruce Trail Again, Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Forks, WA

Call us crazy, but we went back to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, WA, again - we think it is that nice. This time the Spruce Trail walk was led by Ranger Robert. We heard from several of the younger Rangers that Robert was the best, so we tagged along. His talk was different and we learned a lot more. He spent his whole career in the forestry industry cutting down trees. After retiring, he joined the National Park Service and became a Ranger.  

We learned that Sitka Spruce is valued because it is strong and lightweight. Howard Hughes chose it to build the Spruce Goose. It is highly valued for guitars and other stringed instruments. Steinway pianos use Sitka spruce for their soundboards. Not all Sitka spruce are tonewood quality.  It takes an expert to know the difference.

David is dwarfed by this colonnade that got its start on a nurse log many hundreds of years ago.

Bigleaf Maple and Selaginella (spikemoss)

Sitka Spruce's lower branches attract a variety of mosses.

The blue hue of the river is amazing. Ranger Robert told us it is caused by "glacial flour" from blue glacier atop Mount Olympus. We asked if it was good to drink. He said it is so mineral rich that if you try to filter it, it will instantly clog your filter.

We were back from the Hoh early enough to have some dinner and then head out to Rialto Beach for a nice sunset. We made it with only a few minutes to spare. Sunset on the beach was popular - it seemed like everyone there had a camera pointed west. The sunset was gorgeous but, sadly, fleeting.

Sam was happy that we included him for a change. He just doesn't understand it is not our choice to keep him from the trails - Rialto Beach is one of the few places in the park where dogs are allowed. As the evening mist rolled in, it got chilly in a hurry, so we headed home.