An Alternative to Hiking the HOH Rainforest in Washington State: Kestner Homestead Trail!
If you’re a local, you know the off season is the best time to explore the mesmerizing rainforests of Washington State. Aware that the summer season brings throngs of people and traffic headaches to the Olympic National Park, and with the goal of capturing a few photos and video, we headed out to explore the Lake Quinault area on a perfect, drizzly PNW day. We’ve hiked this region many times, our sights mostly set on longer excursions such as the North Fork Quinault Trail or Colonel Bob - but today was solely about enjoying the lush, vibrant green landscape, learning the history of the region, and…..moss!
With coffee in hand, we set out mid-morning for the beautiful drive up Hwy 101 from Aberdeen. We wanted to explore the Lake Quinault area clockwise, so we soon turned off HWY 101 onto the North Shore Road after driving thru Amanda Park. Ample parking and bathrooms can be found near the trailhead situated at the Quinault Rainforest Ranger Station. You can tell by the size of the parking lot that this hike is a popular one, but we arrived to find we had the place to ourselves. Don’t get me wrong - we love people, but with signs posted at the trailhead of a cougar sighting, I was thrilled for the increased potential of an encounter!
We chose to explore the trail counter-clockwise and within minutes we were immersed in the thick, moss-dripping quintessential rainforest our area is well known for. The trail is only 1.3 miles round trip, and we were there well over two hours!
I can’t begin to put into words the beauty of this area - the above colors are NOT enhanced….if you venture along this trail you will be treated to a visual feast of every variation of blue and green! The moss seems to insulate the forest adding a softness to the bird song and the drizzle we encountered was the perfect accompaniment to the classic PNW experience. I easily snapped over a hundred photographs even before we came across the bridge leading to the Kestner Homestead. If you are a photographer, this place is unreal!
Take the time to explore around the old buildings, barn, and grounds which make up the Kestner Homestead. Look through the windows for a glimpse of artifacts left from time ago, imagine yourself living in this environment! Take in all the little details which will reveal the life that has taken over since abandonment by humanity. Do you see the homestead the mouse created in the headlight of the moving truck? Slow down, breathe, imagine!
Once you’ve explored, plunge back into the moss-dripping forests to complete your round-trip experience. IF you time your visit in the early spring, you might encounter the blooming water plants which exhibit neon green colors as they explode into new growth. We were lucky to catch the beginning of the neon experience in early February! Simply other-worldly.
If you have the time after leaving Kestner take a left out of the parking lot and continue your clockwise traverse around the lake. Along the way you’ll be treated to elk herds, eagles, deer, and gorgeous views. Be careful if you encounter elk - these are unpredictable, wild animals, and some can weigh up to 1000 lbs! The roadway you will encounter is one lane in many locations so drive slowly and have patience if you attempt this during the busy season but remember, this is NOTHING like the packed HOH!
What an amazing day! We spent hours playing in nature, breathing deeply, and enjoying all that Mother Nature had to offer. At one location we darted off the roadway to explore, we saw a juvenile eagle across this expanse calling to another eagle up the valley. Majestic. Then we noticed the river below teaming with salmon. No wonder the juvenile was excited. Simply wow!
Safety First
As in most of the ONP you won’t have cell service. Ensure you pack in a small backpack, water, snacks and preferably the ten essentials. It’s a rainforest - so prepare for all types of weather. We encountered the typical lovely drizzle, but wind and weather in this region is unpredictable and that’s what makes it so exciting! Check out the map via the All Trails app and download as a reference before you begin. AllTrails will also show the navigation as you circumnavigate the lake. We have used this app successfully for years and highly recommend!
