Going to Quinault Rain Forest in Olympic National Park- What's it like???
Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:23 PM
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Going to Quinault Rain Forest in Olympic National Park- What's it like???
As part of our "out west" vacation next week, we're going to spend 2 nights in Quinault. I'm really intrigued by the sound of the rainforest. The drive sounds beautiful. What can I expect in that area? What should not be missed?
Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:27 PM
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Where will you be coming from and where will you be heading from there? From Seattle, I wouldn't say the drive is "beautiful", at least not until you get pretty close. But the rainforest itself definitely is, as are the national park beaches just to the north.
I always enjoy doing the 4 mile rainforest loop trail that starts near the Lodge.
I always enjoy doing the 4 mile rainforest loop trail that starts near the Lodge.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 01:06 PM
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Will you be going on to other parts of the Olympic Peninsula? If so, then you might want to wait and head out to Rialto and/or 2nd Beach near Forks. If not, then you might try to get up to Ruby and/or Kalaloch beaches while you're at Quinault.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 04:03 PM
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I would make a detour after crossing the river at Astoria over to Ilwaco WA and the Cape Disappointment lighthouse and state park. Very scenic and worth the extra time.
If you have 2 nights at Quinault, you can head up the coast to the Hoh valley one day and visit the Hoh rain forest visitors center, which has some excellent walking paths branching out from the parking areas. Look out for Roosevelt elk and pay attention to how the elk have browsed all the mid-high brush away, sometimes leaving surprising long-distance views through the woods, with little except the moss at your feet and the moss hanging from the tree limbs. If it's misty it can be amazingly eerie.
Also recommend 2nd Beach or Ruby Beach for some spectacular rocks and surf scenery.
Don't miss the giant red cedar at Quinault - world's biggest.
If you have 2 nights at Quinault, you can head up the coast to the Hoh valley one day and visit the Hoh rain forest visitors center, which has some excellent walking paths branching out from the parking areas. Look out for Roosevelt elk and pay attention to how the elk have browsed all the mid-high brush away, sometimes leaving surprising long-distance views through the woods, with little except the moss at your feet and the moss hanging from the tree limbs. If it's misty it can be amazingly eerie.
Also recommend 2nd Beach or Ruby Beach for some spectacular rocks and surf scenery.
Don't miss the giant red cedar at Quinault - world's biggest.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 06:38 PM
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If you have been to a tropical rain forest, the Quinault Rain Forest is bound to disappoint--it is old growth trees with moss (but not loads of moss like the Spanish Moss hanging from trees in Georgia).
Also, Quinault is on the extreme southern edge of the Olympic National Park. If you want to be in the heart of the park, Quinault isn't the place to be for your entire stay.
The Hoh Rain Forest is more famous--it's farther north.
However, for my taste, the best way to enjoy the rain forest experience, without actually going to a designated rain forest, is to take the easy hike from Crescent Lake Lodge to Marymere Falls. You will see loads of trees that look like the ones in the rain forests AND a beautiful waterfall.
