Hoh Rainforest and James Pond
The Hoh Rain Forest, named after the Hoh River that runs from Mount Olympus to the coast, boasts an average of almost 12 feet of rain annually. Yet on the day of my visit, the sun beamed shamelessly. Regardless, the precipitation results in a lush canopy of coniferous and deciduous species. The Hall of Mosses exhibits the mosses draped on the trees above along with the ferns, mushrooms, and a variety of delicate growth below.
Along the road to Rialto Beach is a short trail to James Pond. Depending on the water level in the summer, you can see yellow lilies. Similar to my timing at the Hoh Rainforest, the water level was low and well into the summer. The scene displayed an old log extended toward the center of what used to be a pond, and the late-season lilies hid in the grassy field above the warm mud.
Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center
Visit the National Park Service website for more info: https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-the-hoh.htm
James Pond Nature Trail
Visit AllTrails for more info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/james-pond-nature-trail