Hoh Rain Forest Trail to Tom's Creek

The Trail
This easy trail is about 2.9 miles long (one way) with only a 182 foot elevation change. This trail is the main trail out of the Hoh Rain Forest area, and actually runs 17.3 miles long. However, Tom's Creek is probably the first landmark along the trail and has a little waterfall along it. Unfortunately, we did not have time to go further than this.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

This trail dives into the Hoh Rain Forest and follows the Hoh River fairly closely. It is a lush green area in which the trees are draped with moss. In fact, their branches almost look like soft hairy green arms. They kind of reminded us of the limbs of orangutans.

This is a very wet area, and it rained on us nearly the whole time we were hiking. The trail can be quite muddy in places, or even have standing water on it depending on when you go, so having waterproof boots or shoes may be a real advantage. It is the home to a number of moisture loving creatures, including giant slugs.

The Hoh River possesses a milky blue color caused by glacial flour, which is made of tiny particles that form when a glacier grinds against the bedrock. The bedrock is ground into what looks like a flour, and that is then washed down into the river by melt-off. While this is not toxic, backpackers are advised to not take water for drinking from the Hoh because this glacial flour will clog filters. Hikers and backpackers can use water from tributaries flowing into the Hoh River instead.

I wasn't able go further than Tom's Creek. There is a narrow bridge that crosses the creek, and through the trees, you can see a waterfall. Some say there is a better view of the fall a little way up, but I didn't go up to it.

If you want to go up further, there are some other great destination points you can aim for, such as Five Miles Island (5.3 miles in), Lewis Meadow (about 10.5 miles in), Martin Creek (about 14.75 miles in), Elk Lake (about 15.1 miles in), Glacier Meadows (about 17.3 miles in), and Blue Glacier (about 18.5 miles in - and the end of the trail). A permit is required if you plan to camp along the trail.

Horses are permitted on this trail, but dogs are not.

Directions
This trail is located on the west side of the Olympic National Park in Washington. To get there from US-101, turn onto Upper Hoh Road and follow the road to the end where the visitor's center is. This will take you about 2 hours from Port Angeles, 2 hours 15 minutes from Aberdeen, or about 45 minutes from Forks.