Reminders of the Distant Past: The Rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula

Where once mighty temperate rainforests stretched from Oregon, through western Canada, and into Alaska, there are now some remote swaths and patches of woodland, the tiny remnants of the ancient greatness of the forests. Human exploitation and climate change have contributed to the accelerated disappearance of rainforests, reducing them to an area of ​​just under ten square miles. Fortunately, the wisest heads prevailed at a critical juncture and, through their actions, the last remaining old stands have been preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The four remaining temperate rainforests are found on the Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle in Washington state. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created Olympic National Park in 1938, and it is within the confines of this 1,441-square-mile preservation site that the rainforests of the Bogachiel River Valley, Queets, Hoh, and Quinault are found. The two most easily accessible forests are Quinault and Hoh, both with main roads to their respective ranger stations.

In the immediate area there are several lodges where you can reside during your vacation stay, some of which are located within a few feet of the entrance trails that lead directly into the heart of the rainforests. This writer’s favorite vacation destination is Lake Quinault Lodge, located on the southeast shore of Lake Quinault and less than a mile from the main thoroughfare, Highway 101. Built in 1926, this huge and beautifully built hotel is perfectly located at thirty feet from a main portal to the Quinault rainforest, allowing easy entry for short hikes or a long excursion.

Immediately after entering the rainforest, you will be transported to a primeval wonderland; Wherever you look, the view is breathtaking. The emotion that gushes from your chest must certainly remind you of the emotion our ancestors felt when they first saw the forests. The initial image that amazes you is the almost incandescent green glow of the lush flora that covers every inch of ground and climbs into the sky along the gigantic Sitka fir trees. This is truly an impressive sight that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet.

The trail winds around three miles through the rainforest, taking you back to your point of origin after a good two-hour hike. During your hike, you will clearly see why this is known as a rainforest – everything is wet to the touch and drops of water drip from the trees that arch over the trail up high.

If you are lucky you may see a Roosevelt elk. These huge beasts are found only in Olympic National Park and are as much a part of the rainforests as trees, plants, and moss. Nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century, in 1909 President Theodore Roosevelt created the Mount Olympus National Monument to protect them. Today, the park is home to more than five thousand of these creatures, adding an additional element of exciting diversity to an area that is already highly diverse.

It’s no wonder that most people, having visited rainforests, leave with a new appreciation for the importance of conserving our natural resources and why this last remaining link to our country’s primitive past should be maintained. . Thanks to the efforts of dedicated conservationists, this rainforest promises to stay with us for many years to come.

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