Quinault Rainforest
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Overview
#1
Trailhead
Park here and use the bathroom before heading out! This walking itinerary is fairly short, but if you look at the trailhead map, you’ll see that there’s multiple ways to make a larger loop. This part of the Olympic National Forest does require a Northwest Forest Pass, but if you don’t have one you can purchase a day pass at the trailhead.
Why are rainforest animals so good at math?
Because they can count on the trees.
#2
Rainforest Floor
Trees are important when they're standing but also when they are laying on the ground! A log is said to "nurse" the growth of other trees by allowing saplings to be closer to available sunlight and keeping them away from hungry mammals.
Keep your eyes peeled! Here's some things to look for on the rainforest floor:
Devil's Club - Though the berries of this plant are poisonous, the Quinault people drink its tea to strengthen and energize the body.
Mossy Log - Moss actually decomposes nurse logs, creating soil that new plants can then perch in.
Shelf Fungi - Just like moss, fungi can break down dead trees, recycling nutrients for the forest.
#3
Willaby Falls
After pausing and taking in this short cascade, take a look down around your feet. You might spot the Olympic Torrent Salamander – this species is only found in Olympic National Park and National Forest! It spends most of its life within just a couple feet of where it's born.
While this itinerary is an introduction to the rainforest, it’s best to stay overnight to really take in your surroundings. Willaby, Falls Creek, and Gatton campgrounds may require reservations and may be closed during the wintertime. Lake Quinault Lodge is the grand dame of regional hotels.
#4
Lake View
Choose to return to the parking lot or walk underneath the bridge towards Willaby Campground. Here you can get a view of Lake Quinault. The lake was formed by glaciers 15,000 years ago and its waters were fed by Anderson Glacier until that source fully melted in 2015.
#5
Go Further
Trails in the Olympic National Forest are great for pet owners (dogs on leash are permitted). However, if you’d like to explore deeper into the Olympic Mountains and don’t have a pet, consider driving along the north shore of Lake Quinault to the Olympic National Park ranger station, where trails branch for miles into the alpine.
Continue Your Discovery
Touch whale bones, examine shipwreck artifacts and connect with the coast's living history.
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