After the Alpine hike and the seashore, the third dimension of our trip was a journey to the Hoh Rain Forest. This is one of only a few temperate rain forests in the world (most rain forests are tropical). This place gets 12-14 feet of rain per year and is the largest temperate rain forest. The western slopes of the Olympic Mountains hold in the Pacific moisture and make this area the rainiest in the 48 contiguous states. These are probably Sitka Spruce, the most popular tree here. The vegetation below the trees is generally kept in check by the roving Roosevelt Elk. However, they summer in the high country. (We're not much above sea level here).