Hall of Mosses Trail

 

I took and early drive from Port Angeles to the Hoh Rain Forest to hike several trails. I arrived at 7:30am and found I was the only person around. I chose the Hall of Mosses trail first. The trail is about 1 mile long and meanders through an old growth forest with trees thick with moss, both attached to the bark like a warm jacket and also hanging from the branches. I had never seen any thing like it. During my hike I didn’t come in contact with anyone. There was a light rain falling, which did not phase me in the least. This is a rain forest after all. The rain seem to make the many shades of green have a glow to the trees. I couldn’t take enough photos.

 

Along the path, the park service has install placards with poems appropriate for the setting. Take the time to read them and contemplate as you through the forest.   Poetry Walks is a program supported by the North Olympic Library System.  Some outstanding poetry selections are posted all relating to time spent in the wilderness. I think my favorite was the first I came across on the trail called “Lost” by David Wagoner:

“Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here, And you must treat it as a powerful stranger, Must ask permission to know it and be known. The forest breathes. Listen. It answers, I have made this place around you. If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here. No two trees are the same to Raven. No two branches are the same to Wren. If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you, You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows Where you are. You must let it find you.”

There are a few good other I’ve posted in the photos. Apparently there are other Poetry Walks in Olympic National Park. I didn’t realize this until my return home. I will have to seek them out on my next visit.

The trail loops back to the parking area and mini trail. There is also a trail junction with the Spruce Nature Trail.
Equipment: Light hiking shoes and rain coat. There can be low light early in the morning so you may want to bring a tripod for you camera.