What overnight hikes can you recommend in the Hoh Rain Forest?

Jeff

I spent part of one summer as a backcountry ranger in the Hoh. I would suggest heading up to Olympic Guard Station (OGS). Its a 9 mile hike in, but follows the Hoh River and only gains about 500 ft of elevation. If you have a couple of nights you can head up to Hoh lake from OGS its a strenous 10 mile round trip up to high divide. You can continue heading up to Glacier Meadows up at Mt. Olympus. From there you can get an up close and personal look at the Blue Glacier.

And no, you can’t take Dogs with you. This area is located in the Olympic National Park, and as with all other national parks, dogs are not allowed in the back country.

Oly Hiker,

Thanks for the information. I am headed up to the Forks area for the 4th and will do some poking around the Hoh. I have been thinking about that as a destination with a couple of side hikes.

Thanks again,
Jeff C

Jeff -

Just to let you know. My family and I may just run into you on the HOH trail this weekend, if not we will be out there on Monday the 7th to enjoy the Emerald Forest. The Olympic National Park will not allow you to bring dogs into the park but the Olympic National Forest will, there are some great hikes with dogs in the ONF. A must is Lower Lena Lake… you just can not go to Upper Lena Lake with your furry friend because you cross the ONP line. :)

To pick your brain: My husband and I have been pricing and comparing GPS systems recently and we are stuck between the Earthmate GPS and the Garmin eTrex Legend. I read your profile and thought who else to advise us on the best buy. We will be using the system mostly for long hikes and typical city navigation. :) If you get this before your hike… Enjoy and we may just run into each other.

Ana Bates and Family

Ana,

Thanks for the information on Upper & Lower Lena Lakes we will definately check them out. It looks like it is going to be a great weekend to be out on the Olympic Pennisula.

Regarding your question about GPS units. I would stay away from the Delorme Earthmate and would go with either a Garmin or Magellan Triton. When looking at a GPS unit I would go with a color screen and Sirf Star III chipset. A Garmin Legend Cx or HCx unit or the Magellan Triton 400 or higher.

One of the advantages of the Triton units is you would be able to load a true USGS 24k topographic map as well as the Aerial and Hybrid maps from TOPO! State series or TOPO! Explorer.

Let me know if you any other questions.

Cheers,
Jeff C