Explore Day 1 of our Olympic National Park adventure with a visit to the World’s Largest Sitka Spruce and a hike through the lush Quinault Rain Forest Trail. A perfect start to our journey!
Day 1 of our adventure was mostly spent driving from Portland to Quinault, so we arrived late in the afternoon. Despite our limited time, we managed to enjoy some of Quinault’s famous landmarks and its beautiful rainforest. You should definitely allow more time in Quinault in your itinerary if possible!
World’s Largest Sitka Spruce
We started our adventure visiting the World’s Largest Sitka Spruce, a must-see landmark. We went in the evening so there were plenty of parking spaces on the street across from the Big Spruch Trailhead and near the Rain Forest Resort Village.
It’s a short trail to view this ancient giant. Standing over 191 feet tall and estimated to be more than 1,000 years old, this tree was a sight to behold. Toby enjoyed sniffing around the base, exploring the vast area around this monumental tree. It was a humbling experience to stand beneath such a venerable piece of nature, and it set the tone for our journey into the heart of the Olympic Peninsula.
Look how tiny Toby looks at the base of this spruce tree!
Quinault Rain Forest Trail
After marveling at the Sitka Spruce, we drove down the South Shore Road to get to the Quinault Rain Forest Trail. There’s a small parking lot at the trailhead, which is convenient. This half-mile loop trail is within the Quinault Rain Forest is renowned for its lush greenery and diverse plant life. The forest is one of the wettest places in the continental United States, receiving over 12 feet of rain annually, which contributes to its lush and vibrant ecosystem. The trail was easy, winding through a dense canopy of trees, making it perfect for an afternoon or an evening stroll. Toby was in his element, eagerly exploring the new scents and sights.
Quinault Loop
Though we planned to tackle the Quinault Loop, a longer trail that offers a more immersive experience of the rainforest, it had already gotten too dark so we decided to skip this. However, it’s definitely a trail you should put on your list for a future visit. The area is home to some of the world’s largest trees, including Douglas firs and Western red cedars, and promises a deeper dive into the natural beauty of the rainforest.