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Washington Regions

Hall of Mosses Trail

Parent Category: Hiking

in Coast

Created: 16 January 2014

Distance:	0.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain:	100 feet
Permit:	National Park/Refuge entry fee required
Best time to visit:	Spring, Summer and Autumn
GPS Coordinates:	N 47 51.625 W 123 56.063

Photo from Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest, Hall Of Mosses Trail

The Hall of Mosses Trail is one of the most famous hiking trails in Olympic National Park. The trail is situated in the Hoh Rain Forest in the west of Washington State.

The Hoh Rainforest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S. and is the most spectacular place which is worth while visiting.

It should be mentioned that the Hoh Rainforest is only the one fabulous place of the Olympic National Park that stretches from the mountains to the shore.

The park was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938. After visiting this area, the president was so impressed with the beauty of nature of the old trees and the magnificent wildlife within the forest that he decided to declare this area a national park.

Photo from Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest, Hall Of Mosses Trail

The Hoh Rainforest is located beside the Hoh River, which was formed by glaciers many years ago. The Hoh Rainforest as every rainforest receives quite a lot of rain each year. Rainfall accumulates in the region between 140 to 170 inches per year.

What is special about the Hoh rainforest is that trees there may be more than 1000 years old, and every tree is covered with its own plant life. This fact makes it an individual small microcosm. The most predominant species of the Hoh Rainforest are: Sitka Spruce, Coast Douglas-fir, Western Redcedar, Vine Maple, Red Alder and Black Cottonwood. As for the species of the fauna, the most dominant are: Olympic Black Bears, Raccoons, Northern Spotted Owls, Cougars, Bobcats and Black-tailed Deer.

The best way to explore the Hoh Rainforest is by hiking a forest’s trail. There are two trails: the Hall of Mosses Trail and Spruce Nature Trail, which go through the most beautiful rainforest.

Photo from Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest, Hall Of Mosses Trail

The Hall of Mosses Trail is considered to be a family friendly trail that can be hiked by kids of different ages. The loop will lead you through the older section above the river where hikers may enjoy very tall and old trees. The height of some trees is about 200 feet.

The other character feature of the rainforest is the abundance of water and nutrients in the soil. Due to this fact the trees have stunted their roots and may fall easily during the windy weather. The Hall of Mosses may also be called the graveyard for the fallen trees, but it should be said that mosses continue to grow and to cover these fallen trees making them really beautiful.

Photo from Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest, Hall Of Mosses Trail

The Hall of Mosses Trail is a well-marked trail with lots of informational signs. The trail takes its’ beginning near the visitor’s center. Stay on this trail and very soon you will turn left and will see a beautiful stream, cross over the bridge and continue to go up the hill. In about 0.1 mile the trail will form a loop. On your way you will encounter towering old trees covered by moss, be sure to look for the animals and birds that live in this forest.

It should also be said that the Hoh Rainforest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.