Arrived at 10am - parking lot at the Hoh Rainforest visitor center is very large and there were only 10 or so other cars parked. Visitor center is currently closed, but toilets still open (and nice!).
We started by doing the Hall of Mosses trail, before heading up the Hoh River trail up to 5 Mile Island. The trees, mosses, ferns and foliage are extremely impressive and varied throughout. The trail hugs the river in parts which is also impressive. There are also a couple of nice waterfalls just over half way to 5 Mile Island.
The trail is generally muddy and wet, with a few challenging obstacles along the way. There's a flooded area around 4 miles in where a few people turned around, but it is passable through a little bit of bushwhacking (or wet feet). A couple of small creek crossings also require some careful treading, as well as a few downed trees and a damaged bridge/boardwalk that require clambering over. There is a small amount of hard packed snow on the trail from about a mile out from 5 Mile Island which is easily navigable in regular hiking boots.
We saw more groups on the way back, but the parking lot was still not even half full by the time we finished hiking 5 hours later. A lot of people seem to stick to the few shorter loop trails next to the visitor center.
Overall a really rewarding, diverse and different hike, with minimal elevation gain but packed full of impressive features and views. Even saw a few Elk as we headed back down Hoh Valley Road.
Distance: 13 miles
Elevation: 585 feet
Elapsed time: 5 hrs 10 mins
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