Quinault Rain Forest

We made it.  We're here.  We left Tacoma at 6:30 and arrived at Lake Quinault before noon.  After setting up the RV we drove up into the rain forest for our first hike.  It was a short one hour hike along Willaby Creek. 

Following the law of camping we had PB&J for lunch and after resting for a bit we drove the 31 mile loop road around the lake.  It was about half dirt/gravel road so it was a slow easy drive in the Honda Fit.  We saw several great waterfalls along the way.  This is a photo of Merriman Falls along the South Loop Road.

The rain forest has 5 world record species of Fir, Cedar and Spruce trees. A picture doesn't do them justice.  Standing at the base of the trees and looking up you wonder how old these trees can be.  Many are older than our country.

Here's Terri standing at the base of a tree that is 23 feet around.

What's in my right hand?  That's my new senior National Parks Pass.  We went to the Ranger station and signed up for one of the most amazing offers that is available from the National Park Service.  At $10.00 for a lifetime pass it may be the best bargain around.  It's great to be a senior citizen.

They grow their leaves big up here.  At a rainfall of between 100 and 200 inches per year they are well watered.  Moss is everywhere and the forest floor is covered in ferns.  The Salmon Berries and Huckleberries are everywhere also.  It all looks like a finely done display.

 

 

Terri finally decided it was to warm and climbed down to the pools at the base of a waterfall to see how cold the water was.  She says it was not to cold but she didn't stand in it more than a few seconds.

 

A Great First Day.