Exploring Quinault Rainforest in Olympic National Park

When one thinks of the Seattle area, a rainforest isn't generally the first thing that comes to mind. We think of of sports teams, grunge rock, corporations like Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing, the sea, and of course, Starbucks. While we did visit a few Starbucks, the highlight of our road trip was the Quinault Rainforest.

There is a loop road that goes around Quinault lake taking you past sites like Merriman falls pictured above and below. Numerous trails are located in the park to experience one of a few unique rainforests around Mount Olympus. While merely 80 miles from downtown Seattle, you feel like you're a world away.

There is so much greenery and the trees grow very big. It rains here more than anywhere else in continental USA with about 120 inches (3 meters) being the annual average. You might know the town of Forks if you watched Twilight, it's in the area.

The proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes the Northwest coast very mild, this allows trees to grow year round. There are many trees which haven't burnt down or been logged in hundreds of years. Being in the presence of these giants is a humbling experience.

The largest Spruce Tree in the World is found in the Quinault Rainforest. It's 100 years old and it has a 59 foot, or 18 meter circumference. It's quite tall at 191 feet but looked like something took the top off, which is why it's not the tallest.

These trees look a lot bigger when you're standing right next to them. That's not a small person in the photo.

The Olympic rain forests are temperate rainforests. An infographic on the most popular trail named after the park itself explains all about them. Mountains being next to the ocean are essential for these biomes, so is a lack of human intervention.

The trail is nothing short of stunning. It's a short loop that begins along a lush stream which loops around into the forest.

As you can see the trail is clearly marked and enveloped in lush greenery. We didn't talk much on the loop and simply enjoyed the natural beauty of the park.

As you walk among the towering trees and rain-soaked draperies of moss, listen quietly, breathe deep the clean moist air and ask yourself where you stand within this interconnected web of life

That quote sums up the experience perfectly. It would be the perfect place to go for a weekend getaway as we did when in the Seattle area. Thank you for viewing.

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All photos taken on an S20 or iphone15