In the temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park, the Spruce Trail is one of a number of short and easy hikes through some of the most unique forests in the country. Located in the same section of forest as the acclaimed Hall of Mosses, the Spruce Trail doesn’t get quite the same attention, but with massive old trees and some nice views, this is without a doubt a trail worth checking out!
Miles/Elevation:
1.4 miles
16 feet vertical gain
About Olympic National Park:
Situated along Washington’s Pacific Coast, Olympic National Park contains some of the nation’s most diverse environments all in one epic national park! From rock strewn beaches, to glaciated peaks, to temperate rainforest, Olympic has something for everyone!
Olympic National Park largely owes its diversity to the Pacific Ocean. Despite being located quite far north, the oceans’ moderating influence means temperatures never really get that cold here (at low elevations at least). On the beach it could be 50 degrees and foggy. In the forest and the hills it might be 40 degrees and raining. And in the alpine it may be 20 degrees and snowing!
A land of many diverse landscapes, Olympic has numerous awesome destinations. The Hoh Rainforest is the most famous of the park’s forests and contains the revered Hall of Mosses. Mt Olympus deep in the park’s backcountry is a sought after alpine summit. Hurricane Ridge is a must see spot in the park reached via a winding mountain road. And Rialto Beach is the most famous of all the parks’ beaches!
All these awesome spots are quite spread out though. Despite being located in the same park, it takes hours to drive from one side of the park to the other. This is largely due to the fact that there are no roads that pass straight through the park. Olympic largely consists of wilderness, and Highway 101 wraps its way all the way around the outside. It’s not a quick route, but it’s the only way to get from one side of the park to another.
Getting To The Trailhead:
Once on the Olympic Peninsula, follow Highway 101 to the northwest portion of the peninsula. From the town of Forks and the northern peninsula, follow 101 south for 13 miles from Forks and then turn right onto Upper Hoh Road. From the south, follow 101 north for 26 miles past the town of Queets. Then turn right onto Upper Hoh Road.
Once on Upper Hoh Road, continue for 18 miles until you reach the visitor center and parking area at the end of the road. There is a large parking area adjacent to the visitor center, and from there the trail begins alongside the visitor center.
Tips:
- Make sure you hike at least one of the other trails here. The Hall of Mosses is amazing, or explore the Hoh River Trail.
- Arrive early to guarantee parking, especially on nice weekend days.
- Keep an eye out for elk.
The Spruce Trail:
From the parking lot, begin hiking on the trail which passes right by the visitors center. You’ll pass the visitors center on the left, and an absolutely massive tree on the right! There are a pair of turn offs very quickly, but continue hiking straight until you reach the bridge crossing Taft Creek. Cross the bridge, stay right at the first intersection, and then you will reach the Spruce Trail.
The Spruce Trail from here is a loop, and you’ll be standing at the fork where it begins. It really doesn’t matter which way you go, but I stayed left and hiked counter clockwise. Maybe I’m weird but I feel like I always default to counter clockwise without thinking!
Anyway, you will immediately find yourself in a stunning rainforest! The trees here are draped in moss which sucks moisture and nutrients from the air, and the forest floor is covered in ferns and all sorts of other greenery. I’m not always a fan of just walking through the woods, but these woods are pretty special!
There is always something new to look at, and even though there aren’t any panoramic views or lookout points, I was never wanting for more views! It’s really easy to enjoy being in an environment as unique as this!
About halfway through the loop, you will notice the forest beginning to clear as you approach the Hoh River. This area of forest is younger, and because it is younger you may notice fewer big trees, less moss, and an overall brighter atmosphere. The nearby Hoh River frequently changes course, and when it does, stands of forest are destroyed, and new areas of forest are created. Go uphill half a mile from here and you’ll find the area’s oldest forest, the Hall of Mosses!
Once you’ve passed through the ever thinning forest, you will reach the Hoh River itself. The river bank is a pile of rocks and boulders, and from here you’ll have a nice view over the water to the hills beyond, that is if the weather cooperates! It’s a nice change from the rest of the trail. This is the only place where you can look out at things a ways away!
From the river, continue following the trail as it loops back towards the trailhead and visitors center. As you near the beginning of the loop, you will again reach Taft Creek and cross another bridge over it.
I found this area along the creek to be especially beautiful. Something about the quiet sounds of water paired with sunlight filtering through the canopy and the vibrant greens just made for a truly beautiful setting. This was definitely my favorite spot on the Spruce Trail!
Once you are back across Taft Creek the loop is almost at an end. Soon you will rejoin the trail back where the loop begins, and from there it’s a quick walk back to the trailhead. Before you go though, make sure you visit the neighboring Hall of Mosses. Seriously, if you liked this trail, the Hall of Mosses is a can’t miss spot!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 10/10
The funny thing is that even though I’m giving this hike a 10/10, it’s probably not even the best trail that begins from this trailhead. The Hall of Mosses I would say has cooler rainforest and more spectacular plant life, but this hike still deserves a 10/10.
The forest may be slightly overshadowed by the Hall of Mosses, but this is still about as cool of a forest as you’re going to find. This hike also reaches the Hoh River and has some nice views of the river and the hills in the distance, something the Hall of Mosses doesn’t. If I had to pick one, I would probably pick the Hall of Mosses, but since they are each only about a mile, there’s no reason not to do both!
Pros:
- Stunning rainforest
- Well made trails
- River views and access
Cons:
- Busy
Alternative Hikes:
Hoh River Trail to Mineral Creek Falls
When To Hike The Spruce Trail:
Help keep this place beautiful. Follow Leave No Trace!
Olympic National Park gets 4 strong seasons, and while the park can be visited all year, summer definitely has the best weather for being outdoors. The high elevation regions of the park receive huge snowfall totals during winter which makes for great skiing, but not so great hiking! Winter at low elevations means lots and lots of rain.
While you certainly can hike in the rain, the warmest, sunniest, weather of the year occurs during July and August. June and September can also have excellent conditions, but the risk of adverse weather and lingering snow at elevation are much higher.
I would personally recommend late July or August for a trip to Olympic, but if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds and aren’t interested in exploring the higher elevation backcountry, the shoulder months of June and September could be pretty nice. I personally would not visit here October through May because of the weather, but if you’re ok with tons of moisture and just don’t want to run into other people, by all means go for it. Be aware though the backcountry and high elevation reaches of the park will likely be snowed in.
Links For Further Reading:
Spruce Nature Trail: 967 Reviews, Map – Washington | AllTrails
Spruce Nature Trail (Hoh) — Washington Trails Association
