debwhite

If you were choosing one rainforest to visit, which one would it be and why? And would you recommend the tour of Quinault?
Thanks.

happytrailstoyou

Looking for a redwood tree in California compares to looking for a rain forest on the Olympic Peninsula. You don't have to go to the most northern part of California to find redwoods, and you don't have to go to the Hoh or the Quinault to find a rain forest.

My favorite rain forest is the one we walk through when we go from the Storm King Ranger Station on Lake Crescent to Marymere Falls. On the north shore of Lake Quinault we also especially like the short and easy hike on the Maple Glade Nature Trail.

That said, the Hoh and the Quinault are both good and, were I you, I would pick the one for which you need to make the shortest detour.

HTtY

PS The first time I visited a rain forest on the Olympic Peninsula, I was disappointed that they aren't lush and exotic like the rain forests of the Amazon.

spirobulldog

Hoh

debwhite

Thanks. We were in the rainforest in Costa Rica and loved it. Wondered how this would be different as the climate is clearly quite dissimilar.
Helpful to hear that we can skip the 3 1/2 hour tour of the Quinault rainforest, which was recommended by someone. Since we're staying at Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault Lodges we'll obviously get to sample them...and that may be enough.

happytrailstoyou

Hoh will do the trick.

spirobulldog

Well each area is spectacular in it's own way. Quinault Rain Forest is nice, plus the lake there too. We did the drive at Quinault and a couple of the trails. Don't miss a couple of the beaches(best at low tide, imop), Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc Falls.