After the Hall of Mosses hike, we put our heads together and decided that we had time for a second hike – and we weren’t ready to leave the Hoh Rainforest. I plumped for the famous Hoh River Trail, but was outvoted three to one in favor of the shorter and easier (but tbh, no less spectacular) Spruce Nature Trail.

We decided we’d walk as far as the Hoh River, so we could see it, and then make our way back to the warmth of the car (and a long drive back to Port Angeles).

All over the rainforest, we saw these trees on elevated roots – looking like they were standing on stilts. The trees took root initially on fallen logs – called nurse logs – and when the nurse logs rotted away the new growth was left standing on tiptoe. Weird!

The Spruce Nature Trail boasted its share of moss-hung trees, too – and other cool sights. Like this uprooted tree:

WOWSERS.

I was fascinated by the knotty bark. With all of the fascinating things to see and observe, it felt like no time at all before we reached the banks of the Hoh River.

With all the mist, the visibility was a bit limited – but it really didn’t matter. It was mysterious and quiet – and just beautiful.

When we got back to the car, we had our biggest wildlife sighting of the day – right off the parking lot! – a mother black-tailed deer and her two fawns.

Too cute!

We watched them quietly and from a safe distance until they decided they were done foraging, and ambled off to surprise some other lucky park visitors. Definitely a magical end to our afternoon in the Hoh Rainforest!

Next week: stopping by the Sol Duc River for some fishing – wink, wink.